The launching ceremony brought together representatives from Viet Nam National University, Ha Noi, the Ha Noi Youth Union, the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Viet Nam, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, and numerous universities and academies from across the country.
The programme marks the beginning of an inter-university cooperation mechanism aimed at promoting initiatives to build safe, healthy and smoke-free learning environments.
The event not only established a collaborative platform linking higher education institutions nationwide but also reaffirmed the commitment to creating safe and healthy campuses where students become pioneers in promoting positive lifestyles and social responsibility.
Delivering the opening remarks, Associate Professor Dr Dao Thanh Truong, Vice President of Viet Nam National University, Ha Noi, stressed: “Social challenges can only be effectively addressed through the concerted efforts, coordination and partnership of educational institutions, organisations and all sectors of society.” In this spirit, the newly established network is expected to become a platform for sharing experiences and disseminating effective models, thereby raising students' awareness of building civilised, smoke-free educational environments.
Following the launch ceremony, presentations focused on the challenges facing tobacco control efforts among adolescents and university students.
A representative of Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids noted that, alongside the rapid growth of social media, the tobacco industry has continually adapted its strategies to target young people. Rather than relying on direct advertising, new-generation tobacco products are increasingly embedded in content related to lifestyle, fashion, entertainment and technology, making tobacco use appear normal and socially acceptable to many young people.
According to the organisation, the decision by some young people to use tobacco is not merely a matter of personal choice but is also influenced by sophisticated marketing strategies specifically designed to shape young people's perceptions and behaviour.
Expanding on the health risks posed by tobacco, Doctor Nguyen Tuan Lam, a representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Viet Nam, emphasised the vital role of educational institutions in shaping students' habits and lifestyles.
“Educational institutions must provide healthy, smoke-free learning environments. Such environments help shape the character and habits of young people and students. The habits formed today will influence their future lives, health, happiness and success,” Doctor Nguyen Tuan Lam said.
Drawing on practical experience, Associate Professor Dr Le Thi Thanh Huong, Vice Rector of the University of Public Health, shared lessons from more than two decades of implementing a smoke-free campus model at the university.
Dr Huong stressed that leadership commitment is the decisive factor behind the model's success.
“Without the support and commitment of institutional leaders, no matter how much effort we make, it will be extremely difficult to implement these activities effectively. In addition, students themselves are the most effective force in spreading awareness of tobacco harm prevention and control,” she said.
Building on analyses of current challenges, health risks and proven practical models, the programme also introduced the project “Building a Healthy, Smoke-Free Community at Viet Nam National University, Ha Noi” and announced the objectives, strategic direction and implementation roadmap for the “smoke-free campus” model during the 2026–2027 period.
The highlight of the programme was the official launch of the Network of Universities promoting the “smoke-free campus” model. Witnessed by delegates, participating institutions simultaneously pressed the activation button, formally demonstrating their shared commitment to building healthy, smoke-free educational environments and strengthening inter-university cooperation in communication, research, monitoring and implementation of the initiative.
Speaking at the event, Nguyen Tuan Khuong, Deputy Secretary of the Youth Union at Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City, said: “Only when students truly become the driving force behind change can the smoke-free campus model develop sustainably and generate long-term impact.”
Through the newly established network, universities and academies will have a stronger coordination mechanism to implement tobacco control activities, with the shared goal of creating civilised, healthy and smoke-free learning environments for students across Viet Nam.
