24/09/2026
𝗦𝗠𝗢𝗞𝗘-𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗕𝗔𝗚𝗨𝗜𝗢 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗦 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗛 𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗖𝗛 𝗩𝗦. 𝗦𝗠𝗢𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚, 𝗩𝗔𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗚
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𝗦𝗠𝗢𝗞𝗘-𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗕𝗔𝗚𝗨𝗜𝗢 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗦 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗛 𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗖𝗛 𝗩𝗦. 𝗦𝗠𝗢𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚, 𝗩𝗔𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗚
The ongoing Smoke-Free Baguio campaign continues to bring its advocacy into learning institutions as the city government under Mayor Benjamin Magalong strengthens its information and education efforts against the vices of smoking and va**ng among young people.
Other than enforcement, the Smoke-Free Task Force has ramped up its information, education, and communication (IEC) activities by responding to requests from schools, barangays, and other institutions for lectures on the Smoke-Free Baguio Ordinance and the ill effects of smoking and va**ng on one’s health.
JD Rivera, City Health Services Office (CHSO) Communication Management Officer, said the Smoke-Free Task Force continues to conduct lectures whenever institutions invite them to discuss the advocacy, while also extending its information efforts to other settings, including government offices and health fairs.
“Currently, so long as may invitation from barangays, from schools, from any other institution, pinupuntahan namin to give lectures,” Rivera said adding that the campaign’s continuing school-based activities come as schools seek additional information on smoking, va**ng and ways to promote healthier environments for their students.
At San Vicente National High School, the team was invited to conduct lectures every Friday for students across different year levels. The sessions cover the adverse effects of smoking and va**ng, as well as the Smoke-Free Baguio Ordinance.
Rivera said the school made the request after observing an increase in cases involving students caught va**ng. “Na-observe kasi nila na medyo tumataas yung cases ng mga nahulihan nilang nag-v**e,” he said.
The task force has also brought the advocacy to Academia de Sophia International, where it participated in the school’s Health Talks: Adolescent Health and Responsible Living. The activity gathered Grades 7 to 12 learners for discussions on adolescent health, including the Smoke-Free Baguio Ordinance and the harmful effects of smoking and va**ng.
The session was conducted alongside the Pacdal District Health Center, which discussed other adolescent health concerns, including HIV/AIDS and STI awareness, puberty, and adolescent health. The students were also psychologically profiled by the health center staff.
Rivera said these school visits are part of the task force’s continuing efforts to make the Smoke-Free Baguio advocacy accessible to different communities. The group does not limit its activities to a fixed set of events, instead going to institutions that request lectures and information sessions.
The campaign also goes beyond lectures. During health fairs, it provides information on the ordinance and the effects of smoking and va**ng, while also directing individuals to available smoking cessation services through the Mental Health Office.
However, the continuing campaign has also had to contend with disruptions caused by bad weather, as several activities were temporarily put on hold following consecutive cancellations in August, but activities have started again as conditions improved, Rivera disclosed.
With the ongoing IEC campaign, schools, barangays and other institutions remain potential partners in bringing the advocacy to more communities. The Smoke-Free Task Force accepts invitations to conduct lectures, with requests addressed to the City Health Officer and submitted to the Administrative Division of the Health Services Office.
As the Smoke-Free Baguio campaign continues to move forward, its message is being brought directly to students, not only through regulations, but through conversations that aim to make young people more aware of the risks of smoking and va**ng. - Allan Roy Canilang, PIO Baguio Intern/gabykeith
