Smoking students warned on EO 26

CEBU, Philippines - Students who smoke in schools despite an existing department order against smoking may now find it doubly hard to puff cigarettes on the campus with the nationwide smoke ban’s implementation.

An official from the Department of Education in Central Visayas said President Duterte’s Executive Order 26 or the Smoking Ban Law would strengthen standing rules on smoking in schools.

DepEd-7 Administrative Division Chief Victor Yntig said that though they are still waiting for the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for EO 26, schools are actually already implementing a department order prohibiting smoking in schools.

“The executive order can help us strengthen more our existing policies,” Yntig told The FREEMAN yesterday.

He said DepEd-7 will also ensure that all school personnel will be made aware of the executive order, as well as the school authorities’ role in its implementation.

Since cigarette vending outside school premises is beyond school officials’ authority, school heads will have to coordinate with law enforcers to apprehend them, said DepEd Cebu City Schools Division superintendent Dr. Bianito Dagatan.

Dagatan said the school policy that prohibits minors from smoking is being observed in public schools but he is also open to proposals such as putting up new “no smoking” signages to replace the old ones.

EO 26 aims to lessen the harmful effects of smoking to health, especially since smokers are getting younger.

The Department of Health warns that tobacco smoking can lead to cancer, heart diseases, and stroke, among others.

Under EO 26, minors will not be allowed to smoke or buy tobacco products.

Also, selling and promoting tobacco products within 100 meters from schools is disallowed or else a violator may be fined not less than P5,000 or imprisoned for not more than 30 days.

Putting up designated smoking areas is also prohibited near centers of youth activity such as schools, youth hostels, and recreational facilities for minors. —/JMD (FREEMAN)