7 Baguio universities join city government in anti-tobacco, vape drive
THE Mascot symbolizes a cancer disease dramatized, during the Department of Health’s (DOH) No Smoking Month campaign on Monday, June 30, 2025, at Eusebio High School in Pasig City. This year’s theme, “Wag Magpaloko sa Vape at Sigarilyo,” to raise awareness among the youth about the harmful effects of tobacco and vape use. Eusebio High School is also home to the country’s first-ever student-led Anti-Vape and Anti-Tobacco Council. The council seeks to empower students to take an active role in spreading health awareness and advocating against tobacco and vape use among their peers.
Photo by Analy Labor for DAILY TRIBUNE
BAGUIO CITY — Seven local universities and colleges have partnered with the Baguio City government to eliminate tobacco and vape use on school campuses.
Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong and the presidents of Saint Louis University (SLU), University of Baguio (UB), University of the Cordilleras (UC), Easter College, University of the Philippines (UP) Baguio, Pines City Colleges, and Baguio Central University (BCU) formalized the partnership in October through individual Memoranda of Agreement (MOA).
The agreements address rising vape use among young people by establishing coordinated policy enforcement, information campaigns, and smoking cessation programs across higher education campuses.
Under the pact, participating schools must form internal enforcement teams to ensure students, employees, contractors, and visitors comply with smoking and vaping bans.
The institutions also committed to integrating prevention education into their school programs, posting warning signage, maintaining compliance reports, and referring individuals to the city's cessation services.
The city government will provide policy guidance, training, and educational materials. The City Smoke-Free Task Force will also assist the schools with enforcement, monitoring, and joint campus inspections.
Magalong stated that the shared responsibility between the local government and educational institutions aims to protect student health and create safer learning environments. Officials hope the initiative will encourage students to adopt tobacco-free and vape-free lifestyles.
The partnership enforces existing national and local regulations, specifically Republic Act No. 9211 (Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003), Republic Act No. 11900 (Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act), and Baguio City Ordinance No. 34, series of 2017.
Each agreement will remain in effect for three years from its signing date, with a mandatory review scheduled in the second year and an option for renewal upon mutual consent.