Balbalan health workers urged to lead tobacco-free drive as Kalinga smoking rate hits 22.5%

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — Health workers in Balbalan are being urged to lead community efforts to curb tobacco use as a provincial survey found that 22.5 percent of respondents aged 15 and older in Kalinga were current cigarette smokers.

Provincial Health Officer I Dr. Marilyn T. Duyan challenged personnel of the Balbalan Municipal Health Office to promote tobacco-free practices in their communities during a Brief Tobacco Intervention Training on October 9 at Davidson Hotel and Restaurant in Bulanao, Tabuk City.

Duyan said change would not happen overnight but urged health workers to begin implementing what they learned and share the practices with colleagues and residents.

She cited Baguio City, where smoke-free policies have been adopted by establishments, including hotels, as an example that Balbalan and other municipalities could follow.

“Daytuy ket pagdalan tayo amin ta haan tayo met nga sa isang iglap ket maaramid tayo.

Ngem ammuk nga nu i-rugi ti Balbalan, soon you will have your good practices. Surutenen ti dadduma nga munisipyo,” Duyan said.

She assured the health workers that the Office of the Provincial Health Officer (OPHO) would support their efforts, while emphasizing that they must take the lead in applying and promoting tobacco intervention practices in their communities.

Smoking, vaping remain public health concerns

The 2023 Kalinga Adult Tobacco Survey, conducted by the OPHO in partnership with Transcending Institutions and Communities Inc. and the Saint Louis University-School of Medicine, covered 423 respondents aged 15 and older from Tabuk City and the province’s municipalities.

The survey found that 22.5 percent of respondents were current cigarette smokers, higher than the national smoking prevalence of 19 percent reported in the same local survey account.

Smoking prevalence was higher among males, at 35.1 percent, compared with 7.7 percent among females.

The survey also found that 10.6 percent of respondents currently used e-cigarettes or vapes—including 7.5 percent of males and 3.1 percent of females.

The findings point to the need for continued tobacco-control efforts and accessible support for people who want to quit smoking or vaping.

Through brief tobacco intervention, health workers can help identify tobacco users, advise them about quitting and guide them toward available cessation support.

Duyan said OPHO would work with local health workers to identify gaps and strengthen tobacco-free practices, with the aim of encouraging more communities in Kalinga to adopt healthier environments.