CHD – Trung tâm Tư vấn Sức khỏe và Phát triển Cộng đồng Tư vấn, Sức khỏe, Phát triển Cộng đồng
The Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms of Vietnam has been promulgated since 2013. Since then, many policies have been implemented in accordance with the signed Framework Convention, and various activities of communicating the harmful effects of tobacco have been conducted and a number of measures have been taken etc. However, smokers in prohibited places have not yet been punished according to provisions of the Law. During the 2019-2020 period, the Center for Health Consultation and Community Development (CHD) has implemented the project of “Strengthening the application of smoke-free environment at public transport locations through enhancing rewards, penalties and community participation” with the HCMC Department of Transport. The project, funded by Bloomberg Initiative through The Union, was piloted at Mien Tay bus station and Saigon Bus station. The project has brought a lot of benefits, changing the environmental landscape of the bus station, raising the awareness of staff, drivers and passengers upon their arrival at the bus station. Bus station leaders and those directly involved in the project’s activities all have felt proud of the results they have achieved in a short time. They have built a smoke-free environment in public places and on vehicles with criteria of having smoke-free bus stations; raising the awareness and reminding people around to comply with the regulations on of smoking prohibition to keep the air fresh and the environment clean and beautiful in public places.
What did the bus station leaders do?
“The bus station leaders have signed contracts with street vendors, allowing them to trade and do business within the bus station, provided that they had to comply with the general regulations of the bus station. When implementing the project of building a smoke-free environment, we have invited all street vendors at the bus station and disseminated the ban on selling cigarettes and advertising in the shopping cart. In case of being detected, they would be fined 100,000 – 500,000 VND. If such violations happened again, their contracts would be terminated.”
Tran Van Phuong – Deputy General Director of Mien Tay Bus Station
“The leadership team started the project with the participation of all departments. All employees were encouraged to participate and remind everyone. Whenever they saw someone smoking, they immediately reminded him/her. This personal responsibility has a community meaning. At first they gently remined smokers, and then guided them to places where smoking is allowed and finally applied the fines as stipulated by the bus station.”
Dinh Tan Tai – Leader of the bus station cleaning team
Opinions of smoking behavior monitors
“Whoever was punished at first was also hostile. I understood their attitude, but after all, when seeing them on the street, I still happily patted the shoulder, gently advised and explained: “You don’t blame me, you broke the rules. I am just the enforcer. If you break the rules, you will be penalized.” Therefore, after two years, violations committed by employees, drivers, and bus attendants have significantly reduced.”
Nguyen Van Binh – Leader of the bus station security team
Results achieved
The bus station leaders have promulgated internal regulations and conducted the emulation assessment with criteria of “no smoking at work” and with strict penalties. The operation plans of the bus station were assigned to departments with specific supervision of each area. Contracts signed with partners providing services at bus stations all have contained criteria related to the ban on buying/selling, advertising, and smoking at the station and on the bus.
Over the last two years, photographic evidences and 254 sanctioned cases have been recorded (mainly drivers and flight attendants) with the total amount of VND 109 million and 8,922 passengers smoking at the bus station were reminded. No cases of officers and employees at the bus station smoking at the workplace have been recorded, and another result was recorded, i.e., there were 9 employees who quit smoking when the regulations and emulation ratings were issued.
Local government coordination and support
Enforcing a smoke-free environment in public places and strengthening sanctions requires a combination of functional units to ensure the strict compliance with the law, especially by local authorities. The coordination and inter-sectoral supervision at the two bus stations, enhancement of communication and reminder have resulted in a sharp decrease in the number of smokers at the bus stations. Smokers have voluntarily come to the designated place to smoke. The acts of buying/selling tobacco were conducted stealthily other than openly as before.
From this success of the model, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport and the City People’s Committee agreed to expand this model at different bus stations, waterways, and ferry terminals in HCMC where passenger transportation services are provided.
Written by CHD