BAGUIO CITY (PIA) -- The Department of Health in the Cordillera, through the Regional Tobacco Control Network (RTCN), is intensifying efforts to attain a smoke-free and healthier Cordillera.
The network members discussed strategies on how to strengthen awareness of the ill effects of smoking and vaping especially among youth during their first quarter meeting.
A recent youth tobacco survey in Baguio City showed a decrease in tobacco use, but there is an emergence of a vape epidemic among the youth with the bulk of users aged 13-15.
Dr. Jennifer Joyce Pira of DOH and Cecille Agpawa of the Transcend Institution discussed the importance of public awareness and education in combating the tobacco epidemic and vape-demic.
It is important for people to understand facts about vaping and tobacco smoking to help them make better choices in life, especially concerning their health.
Dr. Donnabel T. Panes, Baguio City Tobacco Control coordinator, also talked about the deadly impacts of vaping and addiction.
To counter the vape epidemic, the Smoke-Free Baguio task force has been intensifying information, education, and communication campaigns, and engaging and partnering with schools, and other stakeholders to further anti-smoking advocacy within their circles, she shared.
Aside from the conduct of intensified IEC using traditional and digital media, one activity identified to further strengthen awareness is through MPOWER or the training of trainers among the network members on monitoring tobacco use and prevention policies; Protecting people from tobacco smoke; Offering help to quit tobacco use; Warning about the dangers of tobacco; Enforcing ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, and Raising taxes on tobacco.
Another is to advocate for the stricter implementation of the Civil Service Commission’s Memo Circular 17, series of 2009, adopting and promulgating a 100 percent smoke- free policy and a smoking prohibition in all areas of government premises, buildings and grounds, except for open spaces designated as smoking areas, in order to ensure a healthy and productive workforce.
The RTNC also agreed to conduct a re-orientation on the roles and functions of each member.
Also, considered crucial in the campaign are the move to increase the prices of electronic smoking devices at the national level in the form of taxation, and the strict enforcement of Republic Act 11900 which prohibits individuals under 18 years old from purchasing vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products.
The RTCN envisions a dynamic and empowered multi-sectoral organization committed to a 100 percent smoke-free environment in the Cordillera Administrative Region. (MAWC-PIA CAR)
