On 23 August 2023, Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya (RUTS) officially issued its “Smoke-Free Educational Institution Policy and Measures” to reinforce its commitment to creating a healthy, safe, and smoke-free university environment. The policy was established in accordance with Thailand’s Tobacco Products Control Act B.E. 2560 (2017) and relevant guidelines issued by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), providing an institutional framework for tobacco prevention, control, and health promotion across the university.
The policy emphasizes three key areas: (1) Smoke-Free Campus Environments, establishing and maintaining smoke-free zones in university buildings, educational facilities, student dormitories, and other designated areas in compliance with applicable regulations; (2) Tobacco and E-Cigarette Prevention, strengthening awareness, monitoring, and preventive measures to address the health risks associated with conventional tobacco products and emerging tobacco products, particularly electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes); and (3) Institutional Implementation and Accountability, promoting coordinated implementation among faculties, colleges, and administrative units, with designated personnel responsible for monitoring compliance, evaluating progress, and reporting on policy implementation.
Through these measures, RUTS seeks to minimize exposure to secondhand smoke, discourage tobacco and e-cigarette use, and strengthen awareness of tobacco-related health risks among students, staff, and the wider university community. The policy also demonstrates the university’s commitment to integrating preventive healthcare, institutional responsibility, and public health protection into its educational environment.
RUTS Empowers Young Health Advocates to Raise Awareness of Tobacco and E-Cigarette Risks
On 21 February 2025, Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya (RUTS) organized the “Young Communicators: Raising Awareness of Tobacco Product Risks” project at the Office of the President Building, RUTS Songkhla. The opening ceremony was presided over by Asst. Prof. Piya Prasongchan, Vice President of RUTS, reflecting the university’s commitment to tobacco prevention, public health awareness, and the promotion of a smoke-free educational environment.
The initiative aimed to enhance students’ understanding of the health risks associated with conventional tobacco products, emerging tobacco products, and electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). It also focused on developing students’ communication, leadership, and advocacy skills, empowering them to become proactive health communicators capable of disseminating accurate information, identifying misleading tobacco marketing practices, and raising awareness of tobacco-related health risks among their peers and local communities.
By integrating health education with youth leadership development, the programme encouraged students to take an active role in tobacco prevention campaigns and promote healthier lifestyle choices. It also strengthened students’ capacity to communicate public health messages effectively, contributing to a culture of health awareness, social responsibility, and tobacco-free living within the university and surrounding communities.
RUTS Joins World No Tobacco Day Campaign to Promote a Smoke-Free Society and Sustainable Health Awareness
On May 31, 2025, Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya (RUTS), through its Division of Student Development, participated in the World No Tobacco Day Campaign held at Samila Beach, Mueang District, Songkhla Province. The university delegation, led by the Director of the Division of Student Development, included university staff and Student Union representatives, demonstrating RUTS’s commitment to promoting a healthier and smoke-free society.
The initiative aimed to raise awareness of the harmful effects of tobacco and electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), particularly among young people, while encouraging preventive measures to reduce smoking initiation among students and youth. Participation in the campaign also strengthened collaboration with government agencies, public health organizations, and local communities to promote tobacco prevention and smoke-free environments.
Through this initiative, RUTS reinforces its commitment to proactive health promotion, tobacco prevention, and community engagement. By encouraging healthier lifestyles and supporting smoke-free environments both on campus and in surrounding communities, the university contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3): Good Health and Well-being, particularly SDG Target 3.a, which focuses on strengthening tobacco control and protecting public health.
RUTS Empowers Young Communicators to Raise Awareness of Tobacco and E-Cigarette Risks, Advancing a Smoke-Free University
RUTS Strengthens Student Leadership and Regional Collaboration to Promote a Tobacco- and Drug-Free Society
On 28–29 August 2025, Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya (RUTS), through its Division of Student Development, supported representatives of the Student Union in participating in the “Lower Southern Higher Education Student Network Workshop on Drug and E-Cigarette Prevention,” held at the Crystal Hotel in Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province. The initiative aimed to strengthen student leadership, enhance preventive health education, and foster regional collaboration among higher education institutions in Southern Thailand to address the growing public health concerns associated with illicit drugs and electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes).
The workshop focused on equipping student leaders with essential knowledge, practical skills, and strategies for developing proactive drug and e-cigarette prevention campaigns. Through interactive learning sessions, knowledge exchange, and collaborative activities, participants strengthened their understanding of substance-related health risks, effective health communication, and youth-centered prevention approaches. The programme also encouraged students to develop creative awareness campaigns and promote informed decision-making and healthier lifestyles among their peers.
A key component of the initiative was the establishment and strengthening of collaborative networks among higher education institutions in the lower southern region of Thailand. By bringing together student representatives from different universities, the workshop provided a platform for sharing experiences, exchanging good practices, and exploring coordinated approaches to preventing drug use and e-cigarette consumption. This regional cooperation helped strengthen the capacity of student leaders to serve as health advocates and promote preventive initiatives within their universities and surrounding communities.
Furthermore, the programme emphasized student empowerment and community engagement as essential elements of sustainable public health promotion. By encouraging young people to take leadership roles in designing and implementing preventive awareness activities, RUTS supported the development of socially responsible student leaders capable of contributing to healthier and safer educational environments.
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