Thai Teacher Network Works With Thai Health Promotion Foundation to Expand Smoke-Free Schools Platform

 

On Tuesday October 8, 2013 at the Health Learning Center, the Thai Teacher Network for Smoke-Free Schools worked with the Thai Health Promotion Foundation to announce the expansion of the Smoke-Free Schools platform to 17 new schools from 12 provinces across Thailand.  These provinces include Nan, Kampangpetch, Loei, Udon Thani, Nong Bua Lamphu, Sisaket, Saraburi, Srakaew, Kanchanaburi, Ranong, Chumporn, and Nakhon Si Thammarat.

 

Beginning at 9am, representatives of the Teacher Network shared information about the high smoking prevalence rates in the 12 provinces with teachers from the 17 new schools in order to encourage them to adopt the Smoke-Free Schools platform. The Teacher Network also shared stories about the tobacco industry’s marketing efforts to children.  During the afternoon session, the provinces brainstormed the best ways to implement the Smoke-Free Schools platform in their schools.  The Teacher Network team also shared the Smoke-Free Schools website with the 17 new schools, providing them with more materials to help with the implementation of the platform.  

 

 

In the months following the event, representatives of the Health Learning Center will follow up with interviews of the teachers regarding both their progress in implementing the platform and the platform’s effectiveness.  In February of 2014, the Health Learning Center will invite the teachers from the 17 news schools to a forum to discuss their experiences and lessons learned from the implementation of the platform.  At this forum, the Teacher Network will join hands with other health networks, such as the Alcohol Network, Accident Prevention Network, and the Healthy Food Network.