{"id":35521,"date":"2025-10-11T23:36:50","date_gmt":"2025-10-11T16:36:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phuket-times.com\/?p=35521"},"modified":"2025-10-11T23:36:50","modified_gmt":"2025-10-11T16:36:50","slug":"phuket-launches-smoke-free-school-campaign-to-combat-vaping-among-students","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.phuket-times.com\/index.php\/2025\/10\/11\/phuket-launches-smoke-free-school-campaign-to-combat-vaping-among-students\/","title":{"rendered":"Phuket Launches Smoke-Free School Campaign to Combat Vaping Among Students"},"content":{"rendered":"

PPAO Leads Initiative to Create Vape-Free and Smoke-Free Schools<\/strong>
Phuket officials have launched a comprehensive campaign<\/strong> to ban smoking and vaping in local schools, marking a major step in protecting youth health and promoting community awareness. The Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO)<\/strong> introduced the initiative with the goal of making schools across the island completely smoke-free and e-cigarette-free<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The project officially began at Baan Mai Riab PPAO School (Tantikowit Bamrung)<\/strong>, where PPAO President Rewat Areerob<\/strong> led a training session for teachers and parents. The event focused on implementing the Seven Measures for Smoke-Free Schools and E-Cigarettes<\/strong>, a strategic framework to eliminate tobacco use within educational institutions.<\/p>\n

Collaboration Between Health and Education Sectors<\/strong>
The campaign is a joint effort<\/strong> between the PPAO<\/strong> and the Phuket Smoke-Free News Centre Network<\/strong>, supported by the Campaign for a Smoke-Free World<\/strong> and the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth)<\/strong>.
Vice President Chalam Athamatham<\/strong> and Khemwan Hemarat<\/strong>, a representative from the Smoke-Free Network, joined as expert speakers, sharing insights on youth health and effective policy enforcement.<\/p>\n

\n

Seven Measures for Smoke-Free and Vape-Free Schools<\/strong>
The Seven Measures<\/strong> introduced under the campaign aim to create a healthier environment and instill lasting habits among Phuket\u2019s youth. These include:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. \n

    Establishing a clear policy<\/strong> banning smoking and vaping on all school grounds.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  2. \n

    Managing school environments<\/strong> to ensure they remain smoke-free.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  3. \n

    Creating a tobacco-free atmosphere<\/strong> throughout the school.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  4. \n

    Integrating health education<\/strong> into the curriculum to teach the dangers of smoking and vaping.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  5. \n

    Encouraging student participation<\/strong> in awareness campaigns.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  6. \n

    Providing counselling and support<\/strong> for at-risk students.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  7. \n

    Partnering with local communities<\/strong> to extend smoke-free practices beyond the classroom.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Expanding the Program to More Schools<\/strong>
    Currently, five pilot schools<\/strong> are participating in the initial phase of the campaign. Once the results prove successful, the PPAO plans to expand the initiative<\/strong> to schools across the island.<\/p>\n

    \n

    \u201cOur students must grow up healthy, safe, and free from the dangers that threaten their futures,\u201d said Rewat Areerob<\/strong>, emphasizing the importance of consistency in implementation.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    \n

    Thailand\u2019s Strong Tobacco Control Measures<\/strong>
    Thailand has long been recognized for its strict tobacco control laws<\/strong>. As a signatory to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (2005)<\/strong>, the country enforces the Tobacco Product Control Act<\/strong>, under which smoking or vaping in prohibited areas can result in a fine of up to 5,000 baht<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    Tackling the Rising Trend of Teen Vaping<\/strong>
    With vaping becoming increasingly popular among Thai teenagers, this new campaign aims to curb the habit before it spreads further<\/strong>. By promoting education and prevention within schools, officials hope to reinforce the dangers of nicotine addiction and the benefits of healthy living.<\/p>\n

    \n

    Building a Healthier Future for Phuket\u2019s Youth<\/strong>
    Phuket\u2019s smoke-free school campaign<\/strong> reflects a growing commitment to youth well-being and community health<\/strong>. By involving educators, parents, and local organizations, the initiative strives to create a sustainable, health-conscious culture<\/strong> that prioritizes education and prevention over punishment.<\/p>\n

    \n

    The long-term goal: a generation of students who are informed, empowered, and free from the influence of tobacco and vaping products.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    \n

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    Phuket vape ban, smoke-free schools Phuket, vaping prevention Thailand, PPAO campaign, ThaiHealth anti-smoking, Phuket youth health, school smoking ban Thailand, Phuket anti-vaping initiative, tobacco control laws Thailand, smoke-free education programs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"PPAO Leads Initiative to Create Vape-Free and Smoke-Free SchoolsPhuket officials have launched…\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":35522,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-35521","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-news","category-other"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t