Bangkok: Thai children are facing significant risks from e-cigarettes starting from kindergarten age, prompting the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHPF) to launch the "Project Araksa" (Protection Against Risks). This initiative seeks to develop innovative learning methods to build intellectual resilience and life skills in young children, encouraging them to refuse risk factors such as e-cigarettes.
According to Thai News Agency, the "Project Araksa" is a pilot project that utilizes educational activity kits to build immunity against e-cigarettes among young children in schools. Supported by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHPF) and the Children, Youth and Family Foundation, the project aims to develop innovative learning methods suitable for early childhood and primary school children. The goal is to instill an understanding of the dangers of e-cigarettes and equip children with the skills to refuse them.
A seminar chaired by Mr. Pittaya Jinawat, Executive Director of ThaiHPF, summarized the results of behavioral change in health from the use of integrated e-cigarette immunization activity kits. The seminar highlighted the project's approach to preventing new e-cigarette users, especially among kindergarten and primary school children. The activity kits, developed using action research, focus on enhancing life skills, critical thinking, and rejection of risk factors. Led by Dr. Anyamanee Boonsue, the project ran for 1 year and 6 months (2024-2026), involving 578 schools and educational institutions across 70 provinces with 2,056 participants.
The core of the project shifts the learning approach from prohibition to building knowledge and understanding. Children are encouraged to become "guardians" with the ability to think critically and make decisions independently. This is achieved through 25 "mindful play" activities designed to teach children through a six-step mindfulness process, fostering their ability to recognize and manage risks while being role models.
Dr. Anyamanee Boonsue noted that nearly 1,000 teachers have been empowered to design learning materials and activities about e-cigarettes. This initiative helps children, parents, and communities understand the dangers and refuse e-cigarettes. Follow-up studies in 22 pilot schools showed the project's effectiveness in changing children's knowledge, attitudes, and skills, influencing teachers' methods and increasing parental involvement. The average scores exceeded 90%, with children's advocacy leading some parents to quit using e-cigarettes.
The project addresses the societal issue of e-cigarettes, particularly affecting young children. ThaiHPF's network creates innovative solutions and high-quality educational materials to raise awareness. Drawing from global research, especially from Belgium, the project seeks to change perceptions about e-cigarettes and promote self-care without reliance on them, starting from the kindergarten level. The project emphasizes collaboration between schools, homes, and communities.
The project's success is evident in the positive changes among children, who shared their knowledge about e-cigarettes with their families, leading to increased awareness and a desire to quit. The initiative demonstrates that developing life skills and intellectual resilience from a young age is crucial in preventing new e-cigarette users, contributing to a sustainable Thai society free from e-cigarettes.