Tobacco use is a well-established behavioural risk factor contributing to major non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes mellitus. Recognized as a serious and avoidable risk for premature death, the Tobacco Control component of the Lifestyle Related Diseases Prevention and Control Program targets the reduction of NCDs resulting from cigarette smoking.

Aligned with WHO MPOWER measures, the program monitors tobacco use and policies, shields individuals from second-hand smoke, provides assistance for quitting, raises awareness about tobacco dangers, enforces advertising bans, and diminishes the affordability of tobacco products. The program aims to create an environment that facilitates quitting among current tobacco users, protects against second-hand smoke, and prevents initiation among the youth.

The program aims to achieve the following goals: prohibiting smoking in public places and ensuring the proper implementation of the law to safeguard the health of non-smokers. Additionally, the program focuses on conducting advocacy campaigns, health education, and smoking cessation services, particularly counselling for individuals seeking to quit.

Ongoing

Through collaborative efforts involving the government, there is a shared commitment to support smokers in their desire to quit the habit. The collaboration emphasizes the improvement of individuals' health conditions, fostering a realization among smokers that opting for a healthier lifestyle is both desirable and achievable.

In these instances, various factors contribute to individuals taking up smoking, including environmental exposure to smokers, financial pressures, stress, anxiety, depression, lack of parental guidance, peer influence, and intensive marketing, particularly on social media platforms. To address the escalating number of cases, the program employs several strategies and interventions.

These initiatives involve surveillance of common smoking areas and communities, inspections and visits to stores selling cigarettes and tobacco, as well as symposiums and advocacy campaigns. These efforts aim to educate individuals, particularly the youth, about the harmful effects of smoking, with the overarching goal of reducing the prevalence of smoking in the community.

To ensure the ongoing effectiveness of the program, new strategies and initiatives have been formulated for case reduction. These include intensive advocacy campaigns, daily surveillance of common public smoking areas, ticketing and warnings for violators, and reminders to stores about the public display of selling vapes and cigarettes. The program aligns with partnerships and collaborative activities with responsible agencies for smoking cessation. This involves authorized ticketing personnel, joint symposiums/advocacy campaigns, quarterly sustainable meetings with agencies, sharing reports and data access, and strict implementation in communities and establishments to maintain a smoke-free city.

Oriented the SBM on Peace and Order and Brgy. Secretaries on the "Anti-Smoking Ordinance of Ormoc City" during the Community Anti-Drug Coalition Community Assessment and Strategic Prevention Framework at Carlosta Hotel, Brgy. Cogon, Ormoc City.

Smoking Cessation Task Force, Ms. Katrina May Soberano, delivered lectures on the III-Effects of Smoking to the youth of Brgy. Linao, Ormoc City at Linao Covered Court. 

BIYAHENG KALUSUGAN: NO SMOKING MONTH “FUN RUN 2024”

Smoking Cessation Task Force, Ms. Mary Regino, LPT, delivered lectures on the Ill-Effects of Smoking to Grade 6 learners of Tambulilid Elementary School at Brgy. Tambulilid, Covered Court. 

School-based advocacy campaigns to strengthen the campaign on anti-smoking, Ms. Gevalyn V. Desiongco, RN, Program Coordinator, delivered lectures to the learners on the Ill-Effects of Smoking at Ipil National High School. Smoking Cessation Task Force, Ms. Jasmine Apay, LPT, delivered lectures on the Ill-Effects of Smoking to the learners of Ormoc City Regional Sports Academy which aims to raise awareness especially its harmful effects to the human body.

To sustain the program, a comprehensive plan of activities for 2024 has been prepared based on allocated resources from the City Health Department. This plan includes community-level advocacy campaigns per district, school advocacy campaigns in public and private institutions, continuous installation and distribution of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials in various locations, and ongoing sustainable activities and meetings with partners, agencies, and barangay officials. The program's consecutive receipt of the Red Orchid award since 2017, resulting in Hall of Fame recognition for Ormoc City, signifies its effectiveness and commitment to continuous improvement in leading individuals towards a healthy lifestyle.

Smoking Cessation Program Coordinator, Ms. Gevalyn V. Desiongco, RN, delivered lectures on Ill-Effects of Smoking to Tzu Chi Scholars at Tzu Chi Village, Brgy. Lilo-an, Ormoc City.

On behalf of the Smoking Cessation Program Manager, Ms. Gevalyn V. Desiongco, RN the program coordinator delivered lecture on the "Ill-Effects of Smoking" to Senior High learners of Lilo-an National High School held at Brgy. Lilo-an covered court. This is to remind the youth on the harmful effects of smoking to the human body. The PNP organized the activity in collaboration with the DepEd and the Lilo-an National High School.

During the opening of OPLAN LUCY conducted by Ormoc City Police Office at Brgy. Ipil, the Smoking Cessation Program Coordinator, Ms. Gevalyn V. Desiongco lectures the "Ill-Effects of Smoking" participated by the Brgy. Ipil personnel and residents. Participants were also informed of the violation penalties for Smoking in Ormoc City. Also distributed IEC materials “No Smoking” tarpaulin and brochure.

As part of OPLAN LUCY activities which is the Symposium on "Anti-Illegal Drugs", the Smoking Cessation Task Force, Ms. Jasmine B. Apay delivered lecture on the "Ill-Effects of Smoking" to the Gr. 11 and Gr. 12 learners of Ipil NHS held at Brgy. Ipil covered court. This activity aims to educate learners on the harmful effects of smoking, and smoking as one of the roots of indulging in vices.

Smoking Task Force, Mr. Jake R. Parrilla delivered lecture on the “Ill-Effects of Smoking” at Salvacion Integrated School, Brgy. Salvacion during the implementation of OPLAN LUCY. Through the discussion students impart some salient knowledge about smoking, how to prevent, the reasons and how to quit.

To educate the Out of School Youth on the harmful effects of smoking. The Smoking Cessation Program Coordinator, Ms. Gevalyn V. Desiongco delivered lectures on the "Ill-Effects of Smoking" to the OSY of Brgy. Lilo-an held at the covered court. The activity was organized by the SDEC.

In collaboration with SDEC, the Smoking Cessation Task Force Ms. Mary B Regino, LPT delivered lectures on the "Ill-Effects of Smoking" to the Out-of-School Youth in Brgy. Cabingtan. It aims to educate the harmful effects of indulging smoking on their health.

Smoking Cessation Task Force, Ms. Myrna P. Sansaet discussed the “Ill-Effects of Smoking” to the Out-of-School Youth of Brgy. Sto. Niňo, also informed what possible ways to quit smoking and how to prevent from indulging into vices.

To strengthen the campaign on anti-smoking, Ms. Gevalyn V. Desiongco, RN, Program Coordinator, delivered lectures to the Senior High learners on the Ill-Effects of Smoking at Ipil National High School. She also presented the allocated fines of violation.

Smoking Cessation Task Force, Ms. Jasmine Apay, LPT, delivered lectures on the Ill-Effects of Smoking to the learners of Ormoc City Regional Sports Academy which aims to raise awareness especially its harmful effects to the human body.

The Smoking Cessation and DDAPTP Coordinator, Ms. Gevalyn V. Desiongco lectures the "Ill-Effects of Anti-Illegal Drugs" and "Ill-Effects of Smoking" to the learners of Ormoc City Night High School. Participants actively engaged during the discussion. Grateful for the warmth welcomed by the school heads, staff, and personnel that made the activity successful.

On behalf of the Smoking Cessation Program Manager, Dr. Christine Iris E. Tulayan, the Program Coordinator, Ms. Gevalyn V. Desiongco, RN delivered lectures on the "Ill-Effects of Smoking" to the Ormoc City Senior High School learners at the 2nd floor, Ormoc City Multi-purpose Hall. Participants were attentive and eager to learn as they raised questions to clarify and learn more about smoking and the Smoking Cessation Program here in Ormoc City. The activity is successful as it ends with a fruitful discussion.

In continuation of the Schools Advocacy Campaign on Smoking Cessation and VAWC program. The Smoking Cessation Task Force, Mr. Jake R. Parrilla lectures on the "Ill-Effects of Smoking" to the learners of Margen NHS. Participants were actively engaged during the discussion and were informed of the harmful effects of Smoking cigarettes and vaping on their health.