ILOILO City – Alarmed by rising popularity of electronic cigarettes among the youth, the Department of Health (DOH) is intensifying its tobacco control efforts in Western Visayas by partnering with schools and local governments to strictly enforce anti-smoking and anti-vaping policies on the ground.
Citing the 2019 Global Youth Tobacco Survey, which revealed that one in seven Filipino youths already use vapes, DOH Region 6 stressed that aggressive marketing and flavored variants are deliberately targeting young people.
“What’s more alarming is how these products are designed to attract young people through flavors, colorful packaging, and social media marketing,” said Dr. Fritzi Ann Suzette Jeroso-Dequito, Medical Officer III of DOH-6.
The health department warned that both smoking and vaping pose serious health risks, debunking the myth that vapes are safer alternatives. These include chronic lung injury, heart disease, and addiction. Secondhand smoke exposure was also flagged as equally dangerous, especially for children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing conditions.
“Smoking of vape and tobacco is bad for health and is a serious threat to learners,” said Department of Education (DepEd) Region 6 information officer Hernani Escullar Jr., reinforcing the agency’s commitment through DepEd Orders banning tobacco and vape use in schools and offices.
DOH-6 emphasized that it is working closely with local government units (LGUs) to ensure compliance with national laws such as Republic Act 9211 and other policies aligned with the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. These efforts include bans on smoking in public places, the sale of tobacco to minors, tobacco advertising and promotions, and measures to curb industry interference.
“Cities like Iloilo and Roxas have established Smoke-Free Task Forces and conduct regular compliance monitoring in public places. There are also community-based information campaigns in schools and barangays, and some health units provide counselling and nicotine replacement support,” Dr. Dequito said.
Nurse V John Richard Lapascua of DOH-6 added, “These local efforts show that when policy, education, and enforcement are aligned, real change happens on the ground.”
The region also implements the MPOWER strategy of the World Health Organization: Monitoring tobacco use, Protecting people from exposure, Offering help to quit, Warning about dangers, Enforcing ad bans, and Raising taxes. Among DOH’s key services is the Quitline 1558, a toll-free hotline offering counseling and brief interventions for those wanting to quit smoking or vaping.
To further boost its advocacy, DOH-6 is spearheading the Tobacco Control Leadership (TCL) program, a capacity-building initiative for mayors, legislators, and other local champions to lead anti-smoking efforts in their respective areas.
Recognition is also being given to municipalities that have consistently enforced tobacco control measures. LGUs maintaining 100% smoke-free environments for three consecutive years will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
These include the cities of Iloilo and Roxas; Caluya, Pandan, and San Jose in Antique; Buruanga, Malinao, Numancia, Ibajay, and Madalag in Aklan; Dumalag in Capiz; Buenavista in Guimaras; and Sta. Barbara, Anilao, Cabatuan, and New Lucena in Iloilo province.
“This is a testament that LGUs are working immensely to lessen smoking and vaping in public places, such as enforcing local tobacco control ordinances, supporting smoke-free spaces, and leading community mobilization. Schools are instrumental in educating students and shaping early attitudes toward tobacco,” Dr. Dequito said.
Lapascua added, “When these sectors work together, they build a collective defence against tobacco use and strengthen the culture of prevention.”/PN
