PHUKET, Thailand — The Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO) has launched a campaign to make local schools smoke-free and e-cigarette-free, beginning with five pilot institutions in an effort to safeguard student health and raise community awareness.
Background and Official Statements
The campaign was formally introduced at Baan Mai Riab PPAO School, where PPAO President Rewat Areerob led a training session for teachers and parents. The initiative centers on the Seven Measures for Smoke-Free Schools and E-Cigarettes, a set of policies designed to foster healthier environments for Phuket’s youth. Rewat was joined by PPAO Vice President Chalam Athamatham and Khemwan Hemarat from the Phuket Smoke-Free News Centre Network, both of whom provided expert guidance during the launch.
“Our students must grow up healthy, safe, and free from the dangers that threaten their futures,” Rewat stated, urging the five pilot schools to implement the measures consistently.
Policy Measures and Implementation
The Seven Measures include establishing clear bans on smoking and vaping, maintaining smoke-free environments, integrating health education on tobacco risks, encouraging student participation in awareness activities, providing counseling for at-risk students, and partnering with local communities. The campaign is a collaborative effort between the PPAO and the Phuket Smoke-Free News Centre Network, with support from the Campaign for a Smoke-Free World and the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth).
Officials indicated that, following a successful pilot phase, the model would be expanded to additional schools across Phuket.
Context and Broader Implications
Thailand has maintained strict tobacco control policies for years, having joined the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in 2005. The country enforces the Tobacco Product Control Act, which prohibits smoking and vaping in designated areas and imposes fines of up to 5,000 baht for violations.
With vaping gaining popularity among teenagers, the Phuket campaign aims to address this trend early and reinforce health education within the school system. The initiative reflects ongoing national efforts to reduce tobacco use and promote public health, with local authorities emphasizing the importance of community involvement in sustaining smoke-free environments.
