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CITY TO INTENSIFY ANTI-VA**NG CAMPAIGN AS CLASSES OPEN
Mayor Benjamin Magalong has directed members of the Smoke-Free Baguio Task Force to launch a more aggressive and sustained campaign against va**ng in line with the opening of classes in the city.

The mayor said efforts to enforce City Ordinance No. 34, Series of 2017 or the Smoke-Free Baguio Ordinance which covers va**ng prohibition, although already being implemented continuously in the city, have to be stepped up further to make a lasting impact.

The mayor emphasized that consistent enforcement would discourage the illegal sale of v**e products in the city. He said sellers would eventually realize that operating in Baguio is no longer profitable if authorities maintain a strong and sustained campaign.

"We will aim to make v**e selling a non-profitable business in the city and eventually permanently stop the operation of these sellers," the mayor said.

The task force said recent studies had shown that although smoking incidents had declined in the city, v**e use had increased especially among the teens.

City Health Services Office (CHSO) to***co control coordinator Dr. Donna Panes said that in view of this, the city would also need to strengthen smoking and va**ng cessation services particularly for adolescents.

Public Order and Safety Division Head Daryll Longid reported that daily apprehensions and operations are already being conducted by his team and other task force members but assured the mayor that enforcement efforts would be further intensified.

Longid noted that Baguio is believed to be the only local government unit in the country without a legally operating v**e shop after all such establishments were ordered closed in 2023.

He said many v**e sellers relocated to neighboring areas, particularly La Trinidad, but continue to target Baguio consumers through online platforms such as Facebook, Messenger, and TikTok.

He emphasized the need for national government agencies to help regulate online sales, proposing the creation of an online reporting mechanism where citizens can report social media accounts engaged in selling v**e products.
Such reports could then be acted upon by agencies like the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the Department of Trade and Industry in coordination with social media platforms.

Baguio City is widely regarded as a frontrunner in the country's smoke-free and v**e-free campaign, having implemented strict ordinances and enforcement measures aimed at protecting public health.

Just recently, the city was invited to join the filing of the proposed Smoke-free and Vape-free Bill by Rep. Krisel Lagman in the House of Representatives.

"This landmark legislative measure is a timely and necessary step towards nationalizing and strengthening the very protections that local government units like Baguio City have long worked hard to establish and sustain to protect public health and promote a smoke-free environment," the mayor in his statement of support to the bill, said. - Aileen P. Refuerzo

𝐁𝐞 𝐚 𝐋𝐨𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭! 📣📣📣

You must be willing to enroll up to 18 units only and have 3 to 4 hours of duty per day.

This is open to all Louisian students who will enroll for the Short Term 2026.