Tinglayan, Kalinga combats tobacco-related diseases with smoke-free training

Tinglayan, Kalinga – The result of the 2023 Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) revealed 22.5% yKalingas are current cigarette smokers, while 40.7% experienced smoking. Initiation to doing the activity was also disclosed to have started at an early age.

To address the pressing issue of tobacco-related diseases and promote a healthier community, the Municipality of Tinglayan hosted a Smoke-Free MPOWER and Deputization Training on Tuesday, March 12, 2024.

The one-day training brought together various stakeholders which include barangay captains, barangay midwives, school heads, head of offices of Tinglayan LGU, personnel of the municipal police station and Bureau of Fire Protection, and youth from Tinglayan National High School led by the 2022 and 2023 Tongrayan Umunno-Unnoy Ambassadors.

The training was spearheaded by Transcend, a non-profit organization, in collaboration with the Kalinga Provincial Health Office and Tinglayan Municipal Health Office.

Key discussions on said training focused on the detrimental effects of smoking, vaping and betel quid chewing, along with lectures on the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and significant tobacco control policies in the country.

Effective enforcement strategies and the introduction of the MPOWER framework as a cost-effective approach in reducing tobacco use were likewise tackled.

On same day, workshop aimed at identifying gaps in Smoke-Free (SF) implementation and action planning was made at both the municipal and barangay levels.

Meanwhile, in his speech, Mayor Sacrament Gumilab called on participants, particularly the youth to actively engage in community programs and leverage their knowledge for positive change.

He stressed collective effort is needed towards creating a healthier and smoke-free Tinglayan.

“Maki-cooperate tayu ken ipapati tayu. Aduwen tayu ti maawatan tayu nga knowledge karkaru dakayu nga ubbing ta dakayu ti dakkel ti role na iti daytoy nga banag,” said Mayor Gumilab.