E-cigarettes
Review of e-cigarettes and movements in our members' countries
INHPF Open Session
Global Health Promotion
Inspiring Initiatives from INHPF Members
Overview
The INHPF Open Session gathered valuable insights from member countries on health promotion strategies, showcasing effective policies and initiatives that address critical health issues like tobacco control, childhood obesity, and governance models for health promotion foundations. Here’s a look at some of the most impactful programs led by our members.
Innovative Tobacco and E-cigarette Control
Across Asia and the Pacific, countries are taking bold steps to combat tobacco and vaping. Taiwan, Singapore, South Korea, and Australia each demonstrate unique approaches.
Taiwan
School-based education on tobacco harm, reflects a long-term commitment to a smoke-free generation.
Taiwan has seen a steady decline in smoking rates due to its comprehensive tobacco control measures, but the challenge of rising e-cigarette use, particularly among youth, remains. Taiwan’s school-based education on tobacco harm, which begins as early as kindergarten, reflects a long-term commitment to a smoke-free generation.
Singapore
Some of the most stringent anti-smoking laws globally
Singapore stands out with some of the most stringent anti-smoking laws globally. A complete ban on e-cigarettes, coupled with the proactive “I Quit” program, ensures access to quit-smoking services while discouraging new smokers. The Health Promotion Board’s work with schools and the Ministry of Education underscores a collaborative, holistic approach to nicotine-free lifestyles.
Australia
Protecting young people from nicotine addiction.
Australia tackles the e-cigarette trend through targeted youth campaigns like “Do You Know What’s in Your Vape?” and provides both traditional Quitline and mobile app support to make cessation services accessible to all. These multifaceted initiatives reflect the nation’s dedication to protecting young people from nicotine addiction.
South Korea
Recently focusing on e-cigarette regulation, especially for youth.
South Korea addresses high smoking rates among men with widespread anti-smoking campaigns and a network of nationwide quit-smoking centers. The country’s recent focus on e-cigarette regulation, especially for youth, highlights its commitment to future generations’ health.
Through sharing these successes, INHPF members are building a united front against tobacco and e-cigarettes.
Tackling Childhood Obesity
through Community and School Engagement
Childhood obesity is a growing health crisis, with significant impacts across generations. Countries like Thailand, Singapore, Tonga, and Queensland, Australia, have implemented comprehensive strategies to address this issue through community and school-based interventions.
Thailand
Engaging students in physical activity and healthy eating practices.
Thailand ranks among East Asia’s highest for child obesity. Initiatives like the “Soda-Free Schools” policy and the Thai-Kam-Sai Program (Healthy Kids Healthy Food Program), which engages students in physical activity and healthy eating practices, show promising results. Thailand’s multi-ministry collaboration further strengthens data integration and community involvement in obesity prevention.
Singapore
Emphasizing early intervention through personalized health advisories.
Singapore emphasizes early intervention through personalized health advisories, where school nurses discuss lifestyle habits with students based on health profiles created from survey data and health screenings. This individualized approach has proven effective, with parents reporting high engagement in their children’s health.
Tonga
- Incentive-based model to foster healthier school environments
- Creative physical activities
Rewards
Tonga’s Health Promoting Schools program rewards schools that meet health criteria with playgrounds, funded by TongaHealth, creating an incentive-based model to foster healthier school environments.
Creative
Creative physical activities, such as “Zumba in Schools”, provide low-cost, accessible ways to increase children’s physical activity. This innovative approach leverages Tonga’s cultural affinity for dance to encourage physical fitness.
Queensland, Australia
A whole-of-school approach to healthy eating.
Queensland, Australia, takes a whole-of-school approach to healthy eating through the “Pick of the Crop” initiative. By connecting schools with local farmers, children learn about nutrition and fresh food sourcing. The “Pod Squad” app, developed with input from over 300 families, engages children in healthy habits through an interactive, gamified experience focused on eating, moving, and sleeping. This personalized and fun approach has helped children develop sustainable healthy habits.
Through programs like these, INHPF members demonstrate the power of community-based initiatives to promote childhood health and prevent obesity from an early age.
Governance Models
in Health Promotion Foundations
Effective governance models empower health promotion foundations to respond swiftly and transparently to emerging public health needs. INHPF members have created robust frameworks to sustain health promotion efforts, ranging from fully autonomous agencies to semi-autonomous government units.
VicHealth, Australia & ThaiHealth, Thailand
Autonomous agencies :
Providing the flexibility to innovate and maintain sustainable, independent funding.
VicHealth in Australia and ThaiHealth in Thailand operate as autonomous agencies, providing them with the flexibility to innovate and maintain sustainable, independent funding. This structure allows them to make health promotion decisions closely aligned with community needs while collaborating effectively with government agencies.
Singapore’s HPB & Taiwan’s HPA
Government units embedded within their respective ministries
Offering strong regulatory support and close alignment with national health priorities.
Singapore’s Health Promotion Board and Taiwan’s Health Promotion Administration are government units embedded within their respective ministries, offering strong regulatory support and close alignment with national health priorities. Singapore’s comprehensive health campaigns have established a model of consistent messaging and collaborative action across sectors.
Mongolia’s & Swiss Health Promotion
Semi-autonomous models :
Operating under government oversight for budget approval but retaining decision-making autonomy.
Mongolia’s Health Promotion Foundation and Swiss Health Promotion represent semi-autonomous models, operating under government oversight for budget approval but retaining decision-making autonomy. This balance provides stability and alignment with national goals while allowing tailored health promotion actions to address unique country challenges.
This diversity of governance models among INHPF members exemplifies how adaptable structures enable health promotion organizations to navigate various political and social landscapes, fostering resilience and impact.
Community Collaboration
Community Collaboration and Culturally Relevant Programs
Community networks are central to health promotion. Programs that incorporate cultural relevance and local collaboration resonate more deeply and sustain engagement over time.
Tonga
Tonga’s collaboration with religious organizations exemplifies how cultural networks can enhance health initiatives. By integrating programs with church-centered communities, Tonga Health has fostered a culture of wellness that extends beyond schools into families and local communities.
Singapore
Singapore’s Nutri-Grade labeling on beverages demonstrates successful industry engagement. Through gradual, collaborative measures, Singapore has worked with the food and beverage industry to reformulate products, promoting consumer choice and encouraging healthier options without drastic regulation.
Queensland, Australia
Queensland’s “Pick of the Crop” initiative engages students in hands-on learning about food and nutrition by partnering with local farmers, creating an immersive experience that connects students with their food sources. Programs like this showcase the importance of making health education practical and relevant, fostering long-term healthy habits among young people.
INHPF members underscore the importance of connecting health promotion initiatives with culturally relevant networks and community assets, making programs more inclusive and impactful.
Leveraging Data
for Personalized Health Promotion
Data-driven approaches offer tailored solutions for community health needs, empowering families to make informed health choices.
Singapore
Singapore’s personalized health advisories
Singapore’s personalized health advisories for children in schools illustrate how data can create effective, individualized health promotion. By integrating lifestyle surveys and health screenings, school nurses provide personalized advice to students and parents, leading to sustained engagement and positive health behaviors.
Queensland, Australia
Queensland’s digital hubs and podcasts for health professionals
Queensland’s digital hubs and podcasts for health professionals equip them with resources to better support families. Programs like the “Kids Project Echo” and the “Healthy Growth” series reflect how training and digital tools ensure that health professionals can provide well-rounded, responsive care to children and families.
The effective use of data enables INHPF members to refine their health strategies, enhancing their relevance and impact across communities.
A Vision of Health for Future Generations
INHPF members are building a healthier, more informed world, one community at a time.
The collective efforts of INHPF members showcase diverse strategies that bring lasting health benefits to communities worldwide. From robust tobacco control policies to youth-driven obesity prevention, these initiatives exemplify the strength of collaboration, innovation, and adaptability. Together, INHPF members are building a healthier, more informed world, one community at a time.
