City officials urged all schools, universities and other learning institutions in the city to strictly implement the prohibition and banning of the entry, possession, sale and use of electronic nicotine delivery systems or electronic non-nicotine delivery systems or also known as e-cigarettes or vapes products within schools premises.
In a resolution, local legislators stated that to protect the young learners and the youth from being exposed to tobacco, e-cigarettes and vape products, it is desirable to create a reformed culture that establishes awareness and cuts off their contact with such products while in the school premises, thus, the reiteration on the strict implementation of existing Department of Education, Department of Health and Commission on Higher Education issuances and local ordinance by the local government is reasonable.
Earlier, reports from the City Health Services Office (CHSO) through the Smoke-Free Task force showed that more and more young learners from elementary and secondary schools in the city are being recorded in violation of the use of e-cigarette and vape products within school premises which the local government sees as an alarming situation that requires attention.
Section 13 of the 1987 Constitution provides that the State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual and social wellbeing, also it provides that the State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.
The council pointed out that tobacco use is a major cause of premature death in the country each year and that this is expected to cause more deaths yearly by 2030.
Further, studies showed that smoking is a leading cause of diseases, including cancer, cardio-vascular disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases; this also includes the findings of multiple health institutions on the effects of vaping that does not improve a person’s health condition after quitting cigarette smoking, contrary to some public opinions that vaping is harmless to one’s health.
CHED Memorandum No. 06, series of 2021, prohibits all forms of tobacco consumption and smoking such as, but not limited to vaping or e-cigarettes, hookah smoking in CHED and higher education institution premises, and shall apply to CHED officials and employees, heads of public and private higher education institutions, and their teaching and non-teaching personnel, their students, as well as visitors and other persons inside their vehicles within the premises of CHED and higher education institutions.
The DepEd also adopted a policy to facilitate the enforcement of tobacco control policies in schools and offices.
The council reiterated that the sale and use of cigarettes are absolutely prohibited in schools and offices of the DepEd, vape products or a combination of non-tobacco containing e-liquids or refills are also covered by the same ban which must be strictly enforced in all schools to ensure that the youth will be spared from the negative effects of e-cigarettes and vape products.
