World No Tobacco Day Summit, held

BAGUIO CITY – Around 200 college students participated in Monday’s summit on the Smoke-Free Baguio Ordinance (Ord. No. 34, series of 2017) at the University of Cordilleras auditorium as part of the Summer Capital’s observance of World No Tobacco Day. Spearheaded by the Smoke-Free Baguio task force, the half-day activity included lectures on the ordinance’s provisions by councilor Joel Alangsab, the measure’s principal author, and the adverse effects of tobacco products on one’s health by Donnabel Tubera of the health services office. Resource persons from Health Justice PH discussed topics on the national youth situationer; to vape or not to vape: the e-cigarette phenomenon; and protecting a smoke-free future: tobacco advertising, promotion, sponsorship (TAPS) and taxation. Participants were also assisted in coming out with a position paper or open letter/statement for legislators on the following: Ensuring proper implementation and monitoring of the local smoke-free ordinance; pushing for the passage of the Universal Health Care Law and inclusion of a comprehensive smoking cessation program and interventions; a national comprehensive e-cigarette ban law; protecting the youth against TAPS; and increase in tobacco taxation. Tubera said that World No Tobacco Day is observed on May 31 and this year’s theme is “Tobacco Breaks Hearts: Choose Health, Not Tobacco” that focuses on the impact tobacco has on the cardiovascular health of people worldwide. The Smoke Free Baguio ordinance prohibits the use, sale, distribution, and advertisement of cigarettes and other tobacco products in certain places and imposes penalties on violators of its provisions./Gaby Keith