The Davao City Vices Regulation Unit (VRU) is intensifying efforts to prevent minors from smoking and vaping, particularly as classes will resume starting next week, while supporting moves to strengthen regulations against the sale of illicit cigarettes.
Jacy Jay Francia, head of the Vices Regulation Unit and Anti-Scam Unit, said the agency’s primary mandate covers smoking in public places and the sale of cigarettes to minors, although enforcement against smuggled or illicit cigarettes largely falls outside its jurisdiction.
“Ang amoang mandate man gud is didto sa smoking in public, selling of cigarettes to minors, og of course, magbaligya. Kining mga illicit cigarettes, wala na sa among scope. However, if this illicit cigarettes magbaligya mo within 100 meters sa school, kana, covered na sa amoang mandate,” Francia said during ISpeak media forum on Thursday.
He explained that the VRU has already apprehended vendors selling cigarettes near schools and sari-sari stores offering low-cost cigarette products that are more accessible to young people.
“Kay affordable, that’s why, sinasabi na ang mga bata karon nato, maka-afford sila mopalit,” he said.
Francia said discussions are ongoing regarding a proposed ordinance specifically targeting illicit cigarettes, which would allow authorities to strengthen enforcement at the street level.
“Siguro, sa mga street level, ma-enforce namo didto, kung mamaligya diha ang mga vendor-vendor diha, ma-enforce namo,” he said.
He acknowledged that the agency currently has limited authority over illicit cigarette cases unless minors are involved.
“Sadly, limited ang amuhang power when it comes sa illicit cigarettes. Unless involving minors, smoking with minors, ing-ana na siya. Diha mi kay nag-regulate man gud mi sa smoking in public and selling to minors,” Francia said.
With the opening of classes next week, Francia said the city will also intensify information campaigns in schools to discourage smoking and vaping among students.
“So, part sa amuhang programs man gud ang pag-conduct og mga information drive didto sa mga eskwelahan through symposium, coordination sa academe para ang eskwelahan mismo motabang,” he said.
Francia noted that many young people mistakenly believe vaping is safer than traditional cigarettes.
“Actually, ma-aware lang nato ang mga estudyante, labi na gyud sa kining vape ug e-cigarettes. Kay kining e-cigarettes man gud kining mga vape, sa tuo nila mas less ang harm. Ug alternative ni siya sa cigarettes kuno. So what is mali na siya. Mas delikado pa siya kaysa sigarilyo,” he said.
