The Ministry of Education (MoE), through its Department of Schools, continues to organise a programme for anti-tobacco awareness and procedures for addressing smoking or vaping offences.
The programme was held yesterday at Tutong Sixth Form Centre and was attended by school leaders, teachers and chairpersons of the parents and teachers association (PTA) from schools in Zone 3.
The Anti-Tobacco and Vaping Awareness Education Programme is an initiative by the Department of Schools aimed at raising awareness and addressing the social issues associated with student disciplinary offences related to the use of tobacco or vaping within the school environment.
The programme is also implemented as part of the MoE’s support for the Cross Functional Teams for Health (CFT) 2022–2025 initiative by the Ministry of Health (MoH), particularly in supporting one of its key actions: ‘Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life’.
The programme featured briefing sessions delivered by the Health Enforcement Division, Department of Policy and Planning at the MoH; the Royal Customs and Excise Department, Ministry of Finance and Economy; and the Student Welfare and Development Unit from the Student Affairs Division, Department of Schools.
The main objectives of the programme include: raising students’ awareness of the health risks associated with the use of tobacco and vaping by providing an understanding of the negative effects on health and academic performance, through a guidance-based approach and the implementation of various educational and awareness programmes and activities within schools.
Additionally, it aims to increase awareness, particularly among students, parents, the PTA, as well as penghulus and village heads, regarding the guidelines and school actions in addressing tobacco and vaping-related offences.
Through the programme, it is hoped that students, teachers, parents, the school community and society at large will better understand their respective roles in addressing school disciplinary issues involving the use of tobacco and vape, along with the actions to be taken against those involved. – James Kon
