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| Vice Chairman of Hue City People’s Committee Nguyen Chi Tai (4th from the right) posing for a commemorative photo with delegates attending the conference |
The event gathered delegates from countries across the region to exchange experiences, share effective models and best practices in integrating smoke-free regulations into tourism development strategies, while also strengthening regional and global cooperation on smoke-free tourism.
Taking place on August 28th - 29th, the conference focused on many important topics such as strengthening the capacity to implement smoke-free environments; sharing experiences in management and monitoring; and discussing new challenges in ensuring smoke-free public and tourist areas. The conference also introduced the ASEAN Smoke-Free Index - a tool to evaluate and promote smoke-free campaigns in cities and tourist destinations. Through this, participating countries could reach a consensus on specific steps to promote and develop smoke-free tourism in the region.
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| Officials from Hue Center for Disease Control monitoring the implementation of a smoke-free tourism environment at local accommodation establishments |
Speaking at the conference, Dr. Phan Thi Hai, MA., Deputy Director of the Tobacco Control Fund, said that Vietnam has carried out numerous activities to build smoke-free environments with the support of international organizations and close cooperation from ASEAN countries over the years. Many localities have achieved positive results, contributing to public health protection and fulfilling international commitments under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
Representing the host locality, Vice Chairman of Hue City People’s Committee Nguyen Chi Tai emphasized: “The city will strictly enforce the ban on smoking in public areas such as heritage sites, schools, hospitals, and government offices; intensify community education and communication, especially in schools and the tourism sector; and mobilize the participation of local residents, organizations, and the media to change social awareness and behavior”.
Regional conferences on smoke-free environments have played an important role in promoting tobacco control policies, expanding cooperation networks, and spreading effective practices. At this session, ASEAN countries once again reaffirmed their determination to build a green, clean, and safe tourism environment for citizens and visitors, while fostering new partnerships to scale up smoke-free models across the region.
The 9th ASEAN Conference in Hue is expected to make a significant mark in regional cooperation, contributing to the realization of the goals of protecting public health, developing sustainable tourism, and affirming ASEAN’s shared commitment in the fight against tobacco harms.