The Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, through its Community Pharmacy Practice Center (Osotsala), continues to implement the “Smoke-free Pharma CU” project with the goal of promoting smoking cessation among the public, students, and staff, as well as neighboring communities

   The project harnesses the expertise of pharmacists and pharmacy students to provide counseling, follow-up, and systematic evaluation. This initiative addresses a major public health concern, as smoking remains a leading risk factor for (non-communicable diseases: NCDs) According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than eight million people worldwide die each year from smoking and secondhand smoke exposure. In Thailand, smoking rates among men remain high, and the growing use of e-cigarettes among youth and students is particularly alarming. Accessible smoking cessation services are therefore critically important

   Osotsala has provided smoking cessation counseling for over ten years, but service accessibility has been limited. The project aims to expand its reach to students, faculty, and surrounding communities, including shop owners in the Siam Square area. It also seeks to strengthen its work through the development of digital tools, health communication resources, and more effective follow-up systems (RDU country)

   Recent project outcomes are highly promising: 82% of service users reported improved knowledge about smoking cessation, 46% successfully quit smoking, and more than 90% expressed high to very high satisfaction with the services received. These results reflect the project’s strong potential to generate positive impacts on health and quality of life

   Beyond health outcomes, the project provides a unique platform for experiential learning. Each year, more than 70 fourth- and sixth-year pharmacy students participate in real-world training, (experiential learning) practicing skills such as collecting health data, assessing nicotine dependence, counseling patients, and conducting follow-up sessions. This hands-on experience equips students to become proactive health professionals capable of contributing to tobacco-free communities in the future

   The project also emphasizes building strong networks with external partners, such as the National Health Security Office (NHSO) and the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), to strengthen service delivery and support broader smoke-free campaigns

   Through these initiatives, Smoke-free Pharma CU aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by reducing risk factors for NCDs, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by fostering sustainable collaborations with government agencies and civil society

   The outcomes to date demonstrate the vital role of the pharmacy profession in addressing national public health challenges, while highlighting Chulalongkorn University’s leadership in advancing a healthy, smoke-free environment within the University and its surrounding communities