Smoke- Free Albay Network- through the efforts of DOH, and the city Government of Tabaco, had its first Advocacy Forum at The Concourse Convention Hall, Tabaco City held May 18, 2011.
The event was participated by NGO’s, School Heads, Barangay Officials and Local Government units. This activity signals the start of Smoke- Free awareness to the city. At the moment, Tabaco city have an existing Smoke-Free Ordinance but it is not implemented. The response showed by the participants marks the start of a good campaign for the Implementation of the said Ordinance.
Tabaco City Mayor Krisel Lagman- Luistro gave the welcome message and relates the history of her family. She quoted , “Kiss a non-smoker and tell the difference” and she encouraged everyone to be part of the anti-smoking campaign in their city.Ms. Melba Vera-Cruz, imparted the components of the healthy lifestyle program of DOH and discussed the 7,000 kinds of chemicals found in one stick of a cigar and one chemical mentioned was the pig blood, wherein the Muslim leaders inhibits their Muslim brothers in smoking cigarettes.
Pastor Deodato Quintela gave emphasis on the enforcement of anti-smoking laws in Legazpi which awakened and enlightened the participants and even the city mayor.
Dr. Evy R. Sarmiento, Medical Specialist II of Department of Health –CHD Bicol talked about “Preventing Ill Effects of Smoking to Health & Environment”.
Ms. Aida Alcazar-Naz, Co-Chairman of the Smoke-Free Albay Network, spearheaded the open forum with Hon. Krisel Lagman- Luistro, Hon. Sheina Marie Onrubia, Dr. Audwin Azada, MS. Melba Vera-Cruz, PCI Robert Capuz and Dr. Evy R. Sarmiento as the panelists.
The important thing that came out during the open forum was there were interested individuals who wanted to have the seminar about information dissemination and about smoking in their schools and organizations not only the bad effects of smoking but also about the laws. (END)
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