WHO praises Morocco for nicotine-free campuses

WHO praises Morocco for nicotine-free campuses
Thursday 28 September 2023 - 12:56

In a report called “Freedom from Tobacco and Nicotine: guide for Schools,” and “Nicotine- and Tobacco-free School Toolkit” the World Health Organisation praised Morocco, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Kyrgyzstan, Qatar, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Ukraine as well as other nations for effectively enacting laws supporting tobacco- and nicotine-free campuses.

However, in reality, several Moroccan campuses know the presence of nicotine-addicted youth, who rush at every break to get a drag before class starts.

The health authority stated that the sale of single-use cigarettes and e-cigarettes, which frequently come without health warnings, has made nicotine products more accessible to young people.

The report called “Nicotine- and tobacco-free school guide 2023” explained that In addition to the ban on smoking, middle and high schools in Morocco have initiated anti-smoking health clubs. 

“These clubs are spaces dedicated to the fight against smoking in schools, in which groups of students, often led by peers, teachers, and associations, organize sporting, cultural, and educational activities related to the fight against smoking tobacco,” explained the publication.

There are now over 2000 anti-smoking health clubs, and the Ministry of National Education holds an annual competition to select the top anti-tobacco health clubs in middle and high schools. 

A symbolic prize is awarded each year to the two winning health clubs.

WHO’s director of health promotion said “Whether sitting in class, playing games outside, or waiting at the school bus stop, we must protect young people from deadly second-hand smoke and toxic e-cigarette emissions as well as ads promoting these products.”

As a result, the authority developed a new guide and toolkit that are step-by-step instructions for schools to establish nicotine- and tobacco-free campuses, in a multifaceted strategy that includes collaboration from teachers, staff, students, and parents. 

Topics covered in the manual and toolbox include education campaigns, enforcing laws, and supporting students who want to stop using tobacco.

The guide highlights four ways to foster a nicotine- and tobacco-free environment for young people, which are: banning nicotine and tobacco products on school campuses; prohibiting the sale of nicotine and tobacco products near schools; banning direct and indirect ads and promotion of nicotine and tobacco products near schools; and refusing sponsorship or engagement with tobacco and nicotine industries.

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