Smoke free Benguet conducts MPower and enforcers training in Kabayan

December 25, 2021 Provincial

The municipality of Kabayan in partnership with the Provincial Health Office and technical assistance from Transcending Institutions & Communities Inc. conducted Smoke Free Training on MPOWER & Deputation Training with fund support from the Union to the members of the Smoke Free Task Force in Poblacion, Kabayan last December 7, 2021.
A total of 28 enforcers from the 13 barangays of Kabayan, to include barangay officials, health workers, SKF President and other representatives from other government offices completed the training.
During the training, the participants were oriented on the provisions of their Municipal Smoke Free Ordinance 168-20 otherwise known as the “Ordinance Prohibiting The Use, Sale, Distribution, and Advertisement of Cigarettes, Electronic Nicotine and Non Nicotine Delivery Systems, Heated Tobacco Products and other Novel Tobacco Products in Certain Places in the Municipality of Kabayan, Benguet Province, Imposing Penalties for Violations Thereof and Providing Funds Therefor, And for Other Purposes”.
The ordinance also includes prohibitions on vaping. Furthermore, the definition of MPOWER and its importance, and Enforcement Guidelines in Apprehension with Effective Communications was also discussed during the training.
The participants crafted their barangay action plans for the enforcement of the ordinance to start with information dissemination regarding the ordinance to be followed by compliance monitoring activities.
The trained participants are now deputized to conduct compliance monitoring in their barangays especially on the business establishments & enforce penalties as per the provisions indicated in their Smoke Free Ordinance particularly those smoking and vaping in public places.
The ordinance prohibits selling to 21 years old and above, selling without proper permit, selling per stick and also prohibits advertisement and promotion of tobacco products among others. Hon. Marlon Nginsayan, SP on Health and MHO Felix Mangaltag Jr. graced the activity and gave their continued support to the implementation of the ordinance to ensure that the citizens of Kabayan will be protected from the ill effects of smoking and vaping.