THE Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday urged local government units (LGUs) to enact ordinances banning the use of vapes and cigarettes within their jurisdiction.
In a statement, the DOH said that while there are efforts from the national government to ban vapes, if unimplemented at the municipal level, the country will “be in danger.”
Currently, 86 cities and municipalities in the Philippines have established smoke-free environments, including Baguio City.
Through its Ordinance 34, series of 2017, or the Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance, the use, sale, distribution and advertisement of cigarettes and other tobacco products — including e-cigarettes — are prohibited.
In an exclusive interview with The Manila Times, Karl Jon Pagoda of the Public Information Office of Baguio City said the enactment of the ordinance led to a decline in smoking and its harmful health effects.
"On a public health lens, we already know the effects of smoking and vaping, which prompted the city to enact this ordinance. Since then, we have seen a significant decrease in smoking in the city,” he said.
According to the 2023 Global Youth Tobacco Survey in Baguio City, 44.74 percent of cigarette users obtained cigarettes by buying them from a store, shop, or vendor — despite such sales being illegal under the ordinance.
Pagoda said the city government continues to crack down on establishments selling vape and cigarette products, but the growing number of online sellers has made enforcement more difficult.
“Now the challenge is online selling because we cannot track. At the same time, the hidden or underground stores where they sell their vape [items] are in their homes,” he said.
Because of this, Pagoda called for a nationwide ban on vapes.
“It would be more powerful if the national government would push through with this (ban),” he said.
Moreover, Pagoda said the Baguio city government is strengthening its communication campaign by partnering with major universities in Baguio.
“In our communication campaign, we are partnering with the main universities here in Baguio City, including the University of Baguio, St. Louis University, and the University of the Cordilleras — and they have signified their commitment to banning vaping and smoking in schools,” he said.
