Short link: https://wp.me/paaccn-10yJ
SORSOGON CITY, June 26, 2026 – Around 130 barangay officials, Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials, and youth leaders gathered at the Sorsogon People’s Mansion for the Community MPOWERment Session on Smoke-Free and Vape-Free Communities which Parents Against Vape (PAV) organized in partnership with the City Government of Sorsogon in observance of National No Smoking Month.
The activity aimed to equip local leaders with the knowledge and tools needed to protect children and young people from nicotine addiction and the harmful effects of smoking and vaping.
PAV led discussions on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) MPOWER Strategy, national tobacco control laws, and the proposed Smoke-Free and Vape-Free Environment Bill (House Bill No. 9603), which seeks to strengthen smoke-free and vape-free protections in public places and workplaces, particularly for children and youth.
Meanwhile, Ms. Sophia D. Dematera, RN, HEPO III and National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP) coordinator of the Sorsogon City Health Office, and Dr. Olan Dealca, City Health officer, discussed the health risks associated with tobacco and vape use and underscored the importance of local policy implementation.
Councilor Mark Jayson Jamisola and Councilor Thess Hamor Gonzales also joined the activity and expressed their appreciation for the City Government of Sorsogon’s continued support for smoke-free and vape-free initiatives. They highlighted the significance of the proposed Sorsogon City Smoke-Free and Vape-Free Ordinance, which seeks to protect the public, particularly children and youth, from the harmful effects of smoking and vaping and promote healthier public spaces
The measure, which has been approved by the Sangguniang Panlungsod, is expected to further strengthen the city’s public health efforts once it completes the necessary processes for implementation.
Commitment of leaders, advocates, and communities nationwide vs. tobacco, vape grows stronger
“The passage of policies that protect people from nicotine addiction and secondhand smoke reflects our commitment to the health and well-being of every citizen. Let us continue working together to protect our families, young people, and communities from the harms of secondhand smoke and vaping,” said Jamisola.
Representatives of Youth Against Vape (YAV) Sorsogon, together with Mark Elmo Buenaobra, president of the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation (SKF) of Casiguran, Sorsogon, also shared youth initiatives promoting healthier communities. Selected films from the TobaccOFF NOW! Film Festival, including Hangos directed by Mark Raniel Mirabueno, were screened to raise awareness on the harms of smoking and vaping.
According to Judy Delos Reyes, project leader of PAV, communities play a critical role in protecting young people from nicotine addiction and emerging nicotine products.
“We hope to further strengthen community participation in protecting children and young people from nicotine addiction caused by cigarettes, vapes, and emerging nicotine products such as nicotine pouches. Through greater awareness and collective action, we can better safeguard public health and prevent a new generation from becoming addicted to nicotine,” Delos Reyes said.
Meanwhile, Theresa Rose Sia, Board member of PAV, emphasized the importance of sustained community action and strong public health policies.
“Protecting our children goes beyond providing for their needs — it means creating communities where they can grow and thrive free from the harms of tobacco and vaping. Through collective action and strong policies, we can build a healthier future for the next generation,” Sia said.
The momentum for stronger tobacco control policies continues to grow across the province. In Castilla, Sorsogon, the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) recently approved a proposed ordinance principally authored by Councilor Camille Joy M. Mendoza prohibiting the use of cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, and similar tobacco products among minors.
These developments, alongside the recently filed Smoke-Free and Vape-Free Environment Bill (HB 9603) and growing calls for a Total Vape Ban, reflect the increasing commitment of leaders, advocates, and communities at both the local and national levels to protect future generations from nicotine addiction and promote healthier, smoke-free and vape-free environments. (/)