Pattaya used World Tobacco-Free Day to launch a campaign to have teachers become role models to keep students from smoking.
Public Health Department Director Supaporn Cherdchaiyapumi handed out “Smoke-Free” signs to 30 instructors and administrators of Pattaya public and private schools at city hall May 31.
Thai statistics indicate more than 88% of teens aged 15-17 have tried cigarettes. In addition, campaigns to keep those under 18 from buying and using cigarettes has been judged broadly as failures. In Thailand, more than 50,000 people a year die of smoking-related ailments.
The smoke-free signs will be installed at 11 Pattaya public schools, plus Banglamung, Photisampan Pittayakarn, Pattaya Arunothai and Satit Udomsuksa schools.
Teachers and administrators will be prohibited from smoking anywhere on school property and will be expected to serve as anti-smoking role models, Supaporn said. Violators could be fined, she added.
Authorities also will be hosting drug- and smoking-prevention activities regularly in schools, with the objective of raising awareness of the damage that smoking causes.
Teachers also will get a chance to join kick-smoking classes.
Finally, teachers and administrators were encouraged to join regular meetings and create a club or association under the To Be Number One Foundation, which works to eliminate drug and smoking among youths.
