With the 2018-2019 academic year underway, the Iloilo City Anti-Smoking Task Force (ICAST) has implemented more of a focus on city students. In addition, after new Sangguniang Kabataan officials were elected, information, education, and communication campaign activities have been intensified; particularly with June being “National No Smoking Month.”

ICAST will be especially enforcing policy that prohibits vaping and the sale of cigarettes within a 100-meter radius of schools, hospitals, public plazas, government buildings and clinics, and laboratories.

Sari-sari stores are also barred from promoting cigarette companies.

Between January and May 2018, a total of 3,103 individuals were apprehended due to smoking violations. Among the offenders, 244 were students with the youngest being 16 years old./WDJ