“We are talking about the dreams of young people that can only be achieved if they grow up healthy and free from the harms of Tobacco,” Secretary of Education Leonor Magtolis Briones expresses concern over the health of young learners.
Department of Education is now an active partner of Social Watch Philippines (SWP), a non-government organization dedicated in advancing pro-health advocacies such as the Universal Health Care and Tax Increases on Tobacco products, in campaigning for Tobacco-control policies. The department recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement with SWP to strengthen smoke-free programs and to institutionalize TOFUs or the Tobacco-Free Universities and Schools which pioneered in Polytechnic University of the Philippines.
According to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey, 21.5% of Filipino adults are exposed to secondhand smoke in indoor workplaces and 37.6% are exposed to public conveyances. Meanwhile, the Global Youth Tobacco Survey revealed that 54.2% of youth are exposed to secondhand smoke in enclosed spaces. The Department of Health and World Health Organization raise alarm over direct and indirect smokers, especially this pandemic, since studies claim that those with history of smoking have higher chances of contracting severe COVID-19 health repercussions.
Along with the Department of Education and Department of Health, the Philippine Smoke-Free Movement continues to gain overwhelming support from Civil Society Organizations and Youth Formations in fighting for 100 % Smoke-Free Environment. Supreme Student Governments from different regions in the country, through The Academic Ease Stakeholders’ Solidarity (ACCESS), a youth organization advocating for Smoke-Free generation, filed an appeal to President Rodrigo Duterte to make House Bill 8763 or the Smoke-Free Environment bill a priority legislation.
“Wag tayong maniwala sa mga Tobacco Industries na ‘yan dahil ang totoo, kahit pa anong donasyon nila, wala talaga silang pakialam sa kalusugan natin,” said Angela Tibay, officer of Regional Federation of Supreme Student Government, Cordillera Administrative Region.
Meanwhile, the president of AKTIB (Aktibong Kilusan Tungo sa Iisang Bayan), Ernesto Ofracio, also calls for President Duterte to certify the HB 8763 as urgent. He says that the bill will be crucial to the implementation of smoke-free homes and smoke-free barangays in the communities. He also emphasizes that people at the ground levels are initiating a massive signature campaign to present to the legislators their strong calls for Smoke-free Environment.
With about 100,000 Filipinos dying annually due to tobacco-related diseases, Secretary Briones believes that the educators can only do so much in honing the learners to make informed choices about health, but their exposure to secondhand smoke outside schools are beyond their control. “We take every platform to appeal to the legislators, decision-makers, and influencers to help protect the welfare of the young learners by institutionalizing policies and creating environments that are health-promoting,” stressed Secretary Briones. The Department of Education also expresses their strong support for the immediate passage of the House Bill 8763 which includes the removal of indoor designated smoking areas and promotion of smoke-free workplaces. The said bill also ensures sustainable funding for tobacco control policies in the local levels.
