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Bang Yo Subdistrict Empowers Community Smoke-Free Initiative

Bang Yo Subdistrict Empowers Community Smoke-Free Initiative

MGR Online•Politics•1d ago

Reader Briefing

Bang Yo Subdistrict launches a comprehensive strategy to create a sustainable smoke-free community by addressing health, religious, educational, and administrative aspects.

  • •Bang Yo Subdistrict, Yala Province, is actively working to become a smoke-free model community to combat high rates of smoking and e-cigarette use.
  • •The initiative involves multiple stakeholders, including the local administration, health volunteers, schools, religious practices, and community leaders.
  • •Strategies include prevention programs for youth, cessation support for current smokers, and community awareness campaigns.
  • •A "Community Health Charter" has been established as a collaborative agreement to promote a smoke-free environment.

Overview

  • •Smoking remains a significant health risk in communities, particularly impacting working-age individuals and the elderly, with a concerning trend of youth initiation influenced by peers and family.
  • •In 2024, approximately 9.8 million people aged 15 and above (16.5% of the population) smoked all types of cigarettes, and e-cigarette use increased over 11-fold compared to 2021.
  • •Bang Yo Subdistrict in Raman District, Yala Province, faces high rates of smoking and e-cigarette use.
  • •The Bang Yo Subdistrict Administrative Organization (SAO) joined the 'Tobacco-Free Local Government' network to control smoking and e-cigarette use.
  • •The SAO is implementing proactive campaigns and measures to create smoke-free spaces in government offices, schools, and community areas.
  • •Village Health Volunteers (Ao Por) conduct surveys, provide health checks, and collect data on smokers to support cessation efforts.
  • •Local schools are integrating programs to prevent youth from smoking and drug use, including the "Model Youth for Smoke-Free" project.
  • •The SAO organizes the 'Al-Gore' activity daily post-prayer, focusing on religious education about the harms of smoking and narcotics, resulting in no male staff smoking at the SAO.

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Key Quotes

Tuankasama Guno
"“Furthermore, the Subdistrict Administrative Organization organizes the 'Al-Gore' activity daily after prayers (around 3-4 PM) to provide religious knowledge about the dangers of cigarettes and narcotics, especially for male staff. The result is that currently, no male staff smoke at the SAO, which is a clear success and a good example for the community.”"
“นอกจากนี้ อบต.ยังจัดกิจกรรม “อัลกอร์ (Al-Gore) ทำเป็นประจำทุกวันหลังละหมาด (เวลาประมาณ 15.00–16.00 น.) เพื่อให้ความรู้ทางศาสนาเกี่ยวกับโทษของบุหรี่และยาเสพติด โดยเฉพาะในกลุ่มพนักงานชาย ผลลัพธ์คือปัจจุบัน ไม่มีพนักงานชายคนใดสูบบุหรี่ใน อบต. ซึ่งถือเป็นความสำเร็จที่ชัดเจนและเป็นแบบอย่างที่ดีต่อชุมชน”

Key Entities

Organization

Bang Yo Subdistrict Administrative Organization(อบต.บาโงย)
The local administrative body leading the smoke-free community initiative in Bang Yo.
National Statistical Office(สำนักงานสถิติแห่งชาติ)
The government agency providing statistics on smoking rates in Thailand.
Thai Health Promotion Foundation(สสส.)
The foundation supporting the community health promotion efforts in Bang Yo.
Office of Community Health Promotion Support (Office 3) Thai Health Promotion Foundation(สำนักสนับสนุนสุขภาวะชุมชน (สำนัก 3) สสส.)
The specific office within the Thai Health Promotion Foundation that supports community health.
Village Health Volunteers(อสม.)
Community health volunteers who conduct surveys, provide health checks, and support smoking cessation.
District Health Promotion Hospital(รพ.สต.)
Local health facilities providing cessation treatment and ongoing follow-up for smokers.

Person

Ms. Tuankasama Guno(นางสาวต่วนกษมา กุโน)
An official involved in the smoke-free initiative, providing insights into the community's efforts and successes.
Dr. Nisa Ratanadilok na Phuket(ดร.นิสา รัตนดิลก ณ ภูเก็ต)
Director of the Office of Community Health Promotion Support (Office 3) of the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, who elaborates on the community ecosystem approach.

Place

Bang Yo Subdistrict(ตำบลบาโงย)
The specific subdistrict in Raman District, Yala Province, that is the focus of the smoke-free community initiative.
Raman District(อ.รามัน)
The district in Yala Province where Bang Yo Subdistrict is located.
Yala Province(จ.ยะลา)
The province in Southern Thailand where Bang Yo Subdistrict is located.

Law

“Tobacco-Free Local Government”(“อปท.ปลอดบุหรี่”)
A network and initiative aimed at local governments promoting smoke-free environments.
“Community Health Charter”(“ธรรมนูญสุขภาพชุมชน”)
A collaborative agreement and memorandum of understanding (MOU) for creating a smoke-free environment.

Policy

“Model Smoke-Free Subdistrict”(“ตำบลต้นแบบปลอดบุหรี่”)
The goal and status that Bang Yo Subdistrict aims to achieve regarding tobacco control.