The institutional initiative aims to protect public health and safeguard youths against the risks of nicotine addiction and cardiovascular diseases.
On 29 May 2026, the Queen Sirikit Heart Centre of the Northeast held a World No Tobacco Day event at the ground-floor activity area of the Centre. The event aimed to raise public awareness of the hazards of smoking, second-hand smoke, and the dangers of electronic cigarettes, which are increasingly prevalent among children and young people. These tobacco products pose severe risks to cardiovascular and respiratory health. The campaign called on citizens to reduce, avoid, and quit smoking in the interest of a better quality of life and sustainable health.
Associate Professor Pattarapong Makarawate, M.D., MSc, FHRS, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Khon Kaen University and Director of the Queen Sirikit Heart Centre of the Northeast, presided over the opening ceremony, leading the executive team in attendance. The executives destroyed a large mock cigarette as a symbolic gesture against smoking and vaping. This act underscored the severe consequences and hazards of tobacco consumption, which remains a primary risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
The event featured an educational panel discussion titled “The Dangers and Impact of Smoking on the Cardiovascular System,” led by Dr Thiti Sivachitapong. A further discussion on “The Toxic Effects of Smoke: Destroying Lungs and Hearts” was delivered by faculty members from the Faculty of Nursing at Khon Kaen University, who played a vital role in advancing a smoke-free Thai society. The programme also included Q&A sessions with prizes and motivational activities to inspire smoking cessation, encouraging the public to prioritise cardiovascular health and reduce the risks posed by conventional and electronic cigarettes.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated 31 May of every year as World No Tobacco Day to encourage people worldwide to acknowledge the dangers of smoking, second-hand smoke, and novel tobacco products. The global campaign centres on protecting children and young people from the tobacco industry’s interference and the long-term health threats of nicotine addiction, a major catalyst for chronic cardiovascular disease.
This initiative directly aligns with Khon Kaen University’s institutional mission of community engagement and the promotion of sustainable health and well-being. By fostering public knowledge and engaging academic faculties, KKU continues to serve as a cornerstone of societal development and a driving force for a healthier, smoke-free nation.
