Registration Available at Public Health Center from June 2 to 20
Sunchang County in North Jeolla Province is conducting free hair nicotine tests for children aged 1 to 13 who live with family members who smoke.
According to the county on May 28, this initiative was launched to mark World No Tobacco Day on May 31. The purpose is to raise awareness of the dangers of secondhand smoke and to protect children's health.
Sunchang County is conducting free hair nicotine tests for children aged 1 to 13 living with family members who smoke. Photo by Sunchang County
The hair nicotine test is a precise method that involves collecting hair samples and analyzing the concentration of nicotine accumulated within them. This test can detect not only exposure to secondhand smoke but also thirdhand smoke, which refers to residual tobacco smoke pollutants.
This round of testing is open to the first 100 children who apply. Registration can be completed in person at the Sunchang County Public Health Center from June 2 to 20. The collected hair samples will be sent to the National Cancer Center for analysis, and individual results will be notified approximately three months later.
The county is also conducting smoking prevention education and a 'No Smoking Golden Scholarship Quiz' event for local elementary, middle, and high schools. Additionally, no-smoking campaigns will be held at traditional markets and Gangcheonsan County Park to help create a smoke-free environment.
A county official stated, "Taking World No Tobacco Day as an opportunity, we will expand various smoking prevention programs and promotional activities so that children in their growth period can grow up in a healthy environment. We will continue to do our best to make Sunchang a healthy, smoke-free community."
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