CU-SMOKING

Chula partners with the Department of Public Health to battle smoking addicts by delegating smoking areas; protecting students and staff alongside modifying the behavior of Thai people.

Every 1 minute around the world, someone loses their life to the dangers of smoking, with this being one of the top causes of death in the world and amassing to over 5 million deaths a year. Preventative measures and solutions for this issue are of the utmost importance with everyone needing to work together diligently to ensure over 650 million people do not have to see their lives end prematurely. Reflecting on the issue in Thailand, data from the Tobacco Regulation Program from the year 2560-2564 BE shows that in young people aged 15-18, there has been a rise in smoking tobacco and electronic cigarettes from 6.58 percent to 8.25 percent. This correlates with the data from the Campaign to Stop Smoking that shows that in people ages 18 and under, over 400,000 are addicted to cigarettes with over 70 percent stating they would be unable to quit throughout their lifetime if they were to still be exposed to the strategic tactics of the tobacco industry, which aims to entice the youth.

Hence, Chulalongkorn University has partnered with the Department of Public Health to announce the “Policy to protect non-smokers health and delegate “smoking areas” specifically, 2563 BE” which aims to strictly modify the behavior of smokers in educational areas. It will be implemented by protecting the health of non-smokers in areas such as buildings and delegating shared public spaces as smoke-free areas alongside clearly assigning separate smoking and non-smoking zones. This is in the hope to properly maintain smoking areas to be orderly and appropriate. Furthermore, campaigns encouraging students and staff to find the courage to reduce and quit smoking have been put in place. 

Prof. Dr.Bundhit Eua-arporn, chancellor of Chulalongkorn University states that “ We have to care for both smokers and non-smokers to be able to cohabitate together by managing the appropriate spaces and displaying the proper signages that clearly separate smoking and no-smoking areas. We consider the community’s health to be a priority, from previously not officially managing smoking areas in shared public spaces due to having to conform to the law. By directing certain faculties to delegate smoking areas, we found that the amount of students smoking had reduced, and students that did smoke were smoking in the designated areas without affecting the other pupils. Furthermore, we are currently publicizing and campaigning this within the community intensely, while also patrolling and communicating with non-conformers about the effects this has continuously.

Otherwise, Chulalongkorn University via the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences has joined forces with the 5 networks of the Public Health Centre to work with the communities from the surrounding areas of the university to modify public behavior. Additionally, they offered to quit smoking services to people within the communities that have worked to partner with the Tobacco Solutions Network and created networks of volunteer pharmacists helping people quit smoking this past World No-Tobacco Day. 

Chulalongkorn University Announcement

Re: Policy to protect nonsmokers’ health and designate specific ‘smoking areas’, BE 2563 (2020)

Chulalongkorn University has deemed it appropriate to issue an announcement on a “policy to protect nonsmokers’ health and designate specific ‘smoking areas’”. Under the authority pursuant to Articles 27 and 32 of the Chulalongkorn University Act BE 2551, in conjunction with Item 5 of the Notification of the Ministry of Public Health Re: Identification of types or names of public places, workplaces and vehicles, entirely or in part, as non-smoking areas or smoking areas in non-smoking areas, BE 2561, it is hereby announced:

1. This announcement shall be called “Chulalongkorn University Announcement Re: Policy to protect nonsmokers’ health and designate specific ‘smoking areas’, BE 2563 (2020)”.

2. This announcement shall take effect the day after it is announced.

3. The University shall provide protection for nonsmokers’ health in areas, buildings or structures as well as all public areas by implementing the following measures:

• (1) All areas on campus as well as those under the University’s supervision are to be smoke-free zones, except for specific areas designated as smoking areas.
• (2) All places under the University’s supervision, including areas where health services are provided, the Demonstration School, the nursery, and children’s playgrounds, whether or not they are fenced, shall be considered smoke-free zones. These zones encompass areas within a 5-meter radius around the entrance and exit of such places.
• (3) All public vehicles and bus stops on the University’s ground shall be considered smoke-free zones.

4. All sections and departments within the University shall make the areas under their care smoke-free zones in accordance with Article 43 of the Tobacco Products Control Act BE 2560.

5. Any section or department within the University may designate a “smoking area” in a smoke-free zone under its care for specific purposes in accordance with Article 44 of the Tobacco Products Control Act, BE 2560.

6. Any section or department that implements the regulation under Item 4 or Item 5 shall display signs that clearly indicate designated smoking areas and smoke-free zones as well as maintain smoking areas in good order. The signs or symbols used in this instance shall comply with the Notification of the Ministry of Public Health Re: Designation of Signs for Smoking and Non-Smoking Areas, BE 2561.

7. All sections and departments within the University shall publicize or campaign to promote smoking cessation among students and staff.

8. All sections and departments within the University shall assign one or more of their staff members to monitor and report any smoking violations to their respective sections or departments to take action as prescribed by the University.

9. Individuals in the University and areas under its supervision must abide by this announcement. Violators are liable to penalties as prescribed by law.

Announced on October 27, BE 2563 (2020)

Prof Dr Bundhit Eua-arporn

President