06 criteria to be given priority in awarding the Tobacco-Free Environment Award in Vietnam

06 criteria to be given priority in awarding the Tobacco-Free Environment Award in Vietnam (Internet image)

Regarding this issue, LawNet would like to answer as follows:

1. What is the Tobacco-free Environment Award?

The Tobacco-Free Environment Award (hereinafter referred to as the Prize for short) is awarded to an organization or individual whose smoking-free location meets the standards specified in Article 11 of Circular 11/2023/TT-BYT and is selected by the Awarding Council at the Department of Health level and the Ministry of Health level (hereinafter referred to as the Awarding Council).

(Clause 1, Article 8 of Circular 11/2023/TT-BYT)

2. Criteria to be given priority in awarding the Tobacco-Free Environment Award in Vietnam

Specifically, in Clause 2, Article 11 of Circular 11/2023/TT-BYT, the criteria to be given priority in awarding the Tobacco-Free Environment Award in Vietnam include:

(1) Having initiatives on prevention and control of harmful effects of tobacco which have been recognized by competent authorities;

(2) Has been commended by competent authorities for well implementation of regulations on prevention and control of tobacco harms, in order of priority according to reward level from high to low;

(3) Arrange the unit's budget or mobilize the funding source for the implementation of smoke-free environment regulations (except for the fund from the Fund for Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms);

(4) Using cameras to detect acts of smoking at places with prohibited regulations;

(5) Having a counseling room or organizing regular counseling and support for smoking cessation;

(6) There are educational materials and messages promoting smoking cessation. Have posters, posters, flyers or other communication materials about the harmful effects of tobacco in a visible location in a high-traffic area of the smoke-free location.

3. Principles of considering and awarding the Tobacco-Free Environment Award in Vietnam

Specifically, Article 9 of Circular 11/2023/TT-BYT stipulates the principles for considering and giving the Tobacco-free Environment Award as follows:

- In accordance with the subjects, criteria and procedures specified in this Circular.

- Accurate, open, transparent, secret ballot and majority decision.

- Do not propose to consider giving the Prize to organizations and individuals that are in the process of being considered by competent authorities for disciplinary action, handling of violations of the law or in the process of investigation, prosecution or trial. ; inspect and examine when there are signs of violation or there is a written complaint or denunciation being verified and clarified.

- Each Prize is associated with a type of location.

In case an organization or individual has many different qualified locations that belong to the same type of venue, only 01 award will be considered for those locations. In case an organization or individual has many qualified locations belonging to different types of locations, each type of venue will be awarded 01 Prize.

- Each period of awarding and giving is not more than 30 Prizes. Depending on the actual conditions of each awarding period, the Council at the level of the Ministry of Health decides on the number of prizes to be distributed

4. Application for consideration for the Tobacco-free Environment Award in Vietnam

4.1. Application for the award of the Tobacco-free Environment Award at the Department of Health level

Application for considering and awarding the Tobacco-free Environment Award at the Department of Health level includes:

- A written proposal for a list of organizations and individuals that organize well regulations on smoking-free places proposed by the Department of Health's advisory unit on tobacco harm prevention and control together with the achievements of the organization or individual whose location is proposed to be considered for donation according to the form specified in Appendix 3 issued together with Circular 11/2023/TT-BYT;

- Documents proving satisfaction of requirements and standards provided by the organization or individual having the location (if any); proof of initiative; forms of commendation have been achieved; other documents and documents (if any).

(Clause 1, Article 15 of Circular 11/2023/TT-BYT)

4.2. Application for the award of the Tobacco-Free Environment Award at the level of the Ministry of Health of Vietnam

Application for consideration for the award of the Tobacco-Free Environment Award at the Ministry of Health level is specified as follows:

- A written request from the Department of Health to consider and award the Award;

- List of units proposed to award the Award;

- Minutes of the meeting of the Department-level Council;

- Documents specified in Section 4.1.

(Clause 2, Article 15 of Circular 11/2023/TT-BYT)

Circular 11/2023/TT-BYT takes effect from August 1, 2023

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