Manila Vice Mayor John Marvin “Yul Servo” Nieto said that the city is continuously enforcing strict regulations on the sale and advertisement of tobacco, especially among youths, to keep them safe from the harmful effects of smoking. 

Manila marked the World No Tobacco Day on Friday, May 31.

Nieto explained that smoking remains one of the leading causes of inevitable diseases and deaths worldwide, affecting millions of lives each year.

In order to keep Manileños safe and healthy, he said the city is focusing on public health through education, regulation, and support.

“Ang lokal na pamahalaang lungsod ng Maynila, sa pangunguna po ng ating butihing Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan, kasama ng ating mga inaasahang pampublikong ospital, ay naglulunsad ng mga proyekto at programang naglalayong bigyang-kaalaman ang bawat indibidwal sa lungsod ng Maynila, partikular sa ating mga kabataan, ukol sa mga panganib na dala ng tabako (The local government of Manila, led by our honorable mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan, along with our public hospitals, is launching projects and programs aimed at educating every individual in the city of Manila, particularly our youths, about the dangers posed by tobacco),” the vice mayor said.

He also said the city is expanding services that provide support to those who want to quit smoking.

“Bukod pa po rito, gumagawa ang buong konseho ng mas maraming smoke-free zone sa mga pampublikong espasyo para [sa] proteksyon at kaligtasan ng mga hindi naninigarilyo at hikayatin ang isang mas malusog na kapaligiran para sa lahat (The city council is also creating more smoke-free zones in public spaces to protect non-smokers and encourage a healthier environment for everyone),” Nieto added.

He encouraged Manileños to commit to limiting their use of tobacco, promote good lifestyle, and build a brighter and healthier future for the city.