South Chungcheong Province held a 'City/County Smoking Cessation Project Meeting' on the 26th at the seminar room of the South Chungcheong Childcare Support Center.

The meeting was held to review the progress of smoking cessation support service projects by city and county this year and to seek ways for development. About 40 people attended, including officials in charge of smoking cessation projects from the province and 15 city/county public health centers, the South Chungcheong Integrated Health Promotion Project Support Group, and the South Chungcheong Smoking Cessation Support Center.

The meeting proceeded in the following order: △ Explanation of the province's management direction for community smoking cessation projects △ Introduction to the latest policies and trends in smoking cessation projects by Jang Young-soo, Vice Director of the South Chungcheong Smoking Cessation Support Center and professor at Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine △ Explanation of how to write best practices for smoking cessation projects by Lee Seok-gu, professor at Chungnam National University College of Medicine from the South Chungcheong Integrated Health Promotion Project Group.

Discussions on the development of smoking cessation projects were held on the following topics: △ Effective ways to operate smoking cessation projects △ Ways to utilize and connect community resources △ Ways to maintain the continuity of smoking cessation clinics and counseling.

At the meeting, Seong Man-je, Director of Health and Welfare of the province, said, "Cigarettes are harmful substances that cause respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, cancer, etc., and induce weakened immunity, skin aging, tooth discoloration, and bad breath. We will expand the smoke-free culture through close cooperation between related organizations to extend the healthy lifespan of our residents."

According to the 2024 Community Health Survey released by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, the current smoking rate in the province is 19.3%, which is 1.8%p higher than the national average of 17.5%. The current smoking rate for adult males is also 35.0%, which is 1.7%p higher than the national average of 33.3%.

Accordingly, the province is focusing on establishing a cooperative system with related organizations, public awareness campaigns, smoking cessation projects, and the management of smoke-free areas to improve the smoking cessation practice rate.

In addition, since August of last year, as smoke-free areas have been expanded to within 30m of the boundaries of kindergartens, daycare centers, elementary, middle, and high school facilities, the province is strengthening guidance, inspection, and public awareness activities.

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