22 August 2025
By Stephen Ray Patron – Philippines Information Agency
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (PIA) – In a bid to strengthen further enforcement of tobacco and vape control, the Department of Health–Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) 12, conducted anti-smoking enforcers simulation here,last week.
The exercise, conducted on August 14, was implemented in partnership with the Sarangani Provincial Health Office and the General Santos City Police Station 6.
Part of the Enforcers Training with MPOWER Orientation for Sarangani Province, the simulation exercise aimed to enhance the skills and readiness of designated enforcers in apprehending violators and ensuring compliance with the country’s anti-smoking and vape regulations.
Jenelyn Elle Ventura, DOH Provincial Office development management officer, said the exercises is aligned with efforts against smoking and vaping, citing further health statistics that 10 to 13 Filipinos die every hour due to smoking-induced diseases.
“I-avoid nato or we have to stop smoking kay wala gyud maayong ihatag ang pagpanigarilyo sa atoa. Dili lng sa pagpanigarilyo but of course included na dire ang atung Vaping na ginatawag,” Ventura stated.
(We need to avoi or stop smoking because it truly brings nothing good to us. And it’s not just about smoking; of course, that includes what we now call vaping.)
Meanwhile, Lera Jo Dulduco, Sarangani’s provincial coordinator for the tobacco and vape program, cautioned that lung diseases linked to vaping may be even more severe than those caused by traditional tobacco use.
A total of 54 participants, including personnel from Sarangani Police Provincial Office Cotabato Police Provincial Office, Task Force GenSan, 1002nd Infantry Brigade, Mechanized Brigade, 601st Infantry Brigade, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Trade and Industry, and media partners joined the simulation.
Following the morning orientation, teams were deployed to Bagsakan, public market, Royeca Hospital, and KCC Public Terminal to simulate real-world enforcement of tobacco and vape laws.
During the activity, enforcement teams engaged smokers and vape users in public areas, reminding them of the city ordinance that prohibits smoking in public spaces. They also advised them on the harmful effects of tobacco and vape use.
They also confiscated smuggled cigarettes sold in the area of operation. (SRMP, PIA SarGen)