With renewed vigor and unity, the City Government of Davao, through its Vices Regulation Unit (VRU), celebrated the 24th Anniversary of its Anti-Smoking Campaign in time for the World No Tobacco Day at the Ritz Hotel on May 29, 2026.
For 24 years now, Davao City has consistently implemented its landmark Anti-Smoking Ordinance, prohibiting smoking in public places and public conveyances, alongside the Liquor Ban Ordinance, which restricts the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages from 1 a.m. to 8 a.m. and prohibits drinking in public spaces.
City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, in a message read by Councilor Alberto Ungab, said that the Anti-Smoking ordinance showed how the local government has never been afraid to create legislation for the good of all Dabawenyos.
“This year’s anniversary calls on all of us to remain firm against the growing misconception that vaping is a harmless modern alternative. More than a reminder, it is a challenge to increase awareness, reinforce responsibility and guide young Dabawenyos toward choices that protect their health and future,” he said.
“It is also imperative that we remind smokers that their actions do not only affect them, but also their loved ones who they expose to secondhand smoke,” Duterte furthered.
Ret. PLt. Col. Jacy Jay Francia, Head of VRU, told the City Information Office (CIO) that vigilance and responsible choices are vital to safeguarding health, reminding Dabawenyos that resisting smoking is a cornerstone of the city’s continuing fight for a smoke-free environment.
“We reaffirmed our commitment to strictly implement the Anti-smoking ordinance ug magpahigayon pod mi og mga information drives regarding the health effects sa atoang mga Tobacco, especially kining mga e-cigarettes (We reaffirmed our commitment to strictly implement the Anti-smoking ordinance and also conduct information drives regarding the health effects of Tobacco, especially these e-cigarettes),” he added.
As part of the celebration, they also held an awarding and recognition ceremony for the exemplary enforcement of the Anti-Smoking Ordinance. The recognition was given to outstanding police stations, including the San Pedro Police Station (PS2, DCPO), Sta. Ana Police Station (PS1, DCPO), the 1st Davao City Mobile Force Company (1st CMFC, DCPO), and the Tourist Police Unit (TPU, DCPO).
Meanwhile, the Police Hotline Movement, Inc. (PHMI), Community Investigative Support (CIS), Philippine Civic Crime Monitoring Group (PCCMG), Guardian’s Ambassador for Liberty, Unity, Peace and Progress, Inc. (GALUPPI), and the Vices Breaker Reinvigorator (VBR) were also recognized for their dedication as VRU deputized enforcers and volunteers.
Francia emphasized that compared to last year, apprehension rates dropped by 30 percent, a clear indicator that the city’s intensified campaign is encouraging more Dabawenyos to make responsible health choices.
“Yung mga deceptive na mga marketing strategies nila, yung mga e-cigarettes, yung mga flavors, packages, unsa ba na mga influencer dira. Huwag kayo magpaloko. I unmask nato ang ilahang mga strategies, mga trick nila para ma attract ang mga youth. So, gubaon nato na pinaagi sa information and education drive (The deceptive marketing strategies of e-cigarettes, the flavors, packages, and their influencers. Don’t be fooled. We will unmask their strategies, their tricks to attract the youth. So, we will dismantle that through an information and education drive),” he added. CIO
Written by: N. Malasado
edited by: A. Nawal
Photo by: E. Morata