NO SAFE PUFF!: Kalinga OPHO backs Smoke and Vape-Free Bill

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — The Office of the Provincial Health Officer (OPHO)-Kalinga, led by Dr. Edward Tandingan, is backing a proposed national law that would strengthen restrictions on smoking and vaping in public spaces.

Tandingan expressed support for House Bill No. 9603, or the proposed Smoke-Free and Vape-Free Environment Act, saying the measure could reinforce existing efforts to protect communities, particularly young people, from exposure to tobacco and vape products.

The proposed measure seeks to establish a uniform national standard banning smoking and vaping in indoor public spaces, workplaces and public transportation.

It also proposes the R.E.L.A.T.E. framework, which includes removing designated indoor smoking and vaping areas, expanding smoke- and vape-free zones, allocating local health funds for tobacco control and cessation programs, providing incentives to compliant local governments, creating local enforcement task forces, and imposing stiffer penalties on violators.

“As guardians of public health, we know that there is no such thing as a safe vape or tobacco product,” Tandingan said, expressing concern over secondhand smoke and vape marketing targeting young people.

He described HB 9603 as a step toward protecting public health and called for national support for smoke- and vape-free communities.

The proposed legislation would complement Kalinga’s existing smoke- and vape-free initiatives by providing stronger national standards for healthier public spaces, according to OPHO-Kalinga.

Data from the 2021 Global Adult Tobacco Survey showed that about 18.5% to 19.5% of Filipinos aged 15 and older use tobacco, while more than 2% reported current e-cigarette use.

Tobacco use was significantly higher among males, with nearly 35% reporting use compared with around 4% among females. E-cigarette use was reported at 3.6% among males and 0.5% among females.

OPHO-Kalinga continues to support policies promoting smoke- and vape-free environments and public awareness of the health risks associated with tobacco and vape use.