Health groups have called on local government units (LGUs) and the national government to ramp up their tobacco control policies, citing Baguio City as a model of what’s possible with political will and sustained enforcement.

“We urge other local chief executives to learn from Baguio’s success in implementing tobacco control measures. Over 112,000 Filipinos die from tobacco-related diseases annually,” Mary Ann Mendoza, the president of HealthJustice Philippines, said in a statement released on Monday, June 30.

“We hope that the national government will promote this best practice on tobacco control measures at the local level.”

The call came as Baguio City was recognized with the 2025 Bloomberg Philanthropies Award for Global Tobacco Control at the World Conference on Tobacco Control in Dublin, Ireland. 

Mayor Benjamin Magalong accepted the award, marking the city’s second international citation for its anti-smoking efforts.

HealthJustice, Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA), and Transcend, which are all active in tobacco control advocacy, said the win underscores the effectiveness of local leadership in protecting public health.

“We commend Baguio City for the well deserved international recognition. Baguio has proven that a smoke-free environment is possible with good governance. We salute Mayor Magalong for setting a standard that other local chief executives should emulate. Here is a mayor whose heart is in the right place and whose priority is the health and wellness of his constituents,” Mendoza added.

Baguio’s Smoke-Free Ordinance, implemented since 2017, has earned high compliance ratings. 

A study by the city government and HealthJustice Philippines found Baguio had the highest adherence to smoke-free policies among three LGUs in Benguet.

“While much work remains to be done in fighting towards a smoke-free future, Baguio City receiving this award gives us hope that Filipinos can break free from the harms of tobacco products. It’s time for local and national governments to follow this example,” Maria Cecilia Agpawa of Transcend said.

The World Health Organization’s latest report on tobacco control estimates 6.1 billion lives could be saved through strong anti-smoking policies. 

The report highlights the MPOWER framework as a global standard. Baguio was recognized under the “M” category, which focuses on monitoring tobacco use.

“Baguio City is world-class in its fight to end tobacco use, which is still the leading cause of preventable death worldwide. If Baguio City and other cities like Pasig, Iloilo, and Balanga can succeed in protecting their citizens against tobacco, the rest of the country can do the same,” said Dr. Ulysses Dorotheo, the executive director of SEATCA.

During the observance of World No Tobacco Day last May 31, the Department of Health (DOH) warned that both tobacco and vape products contain toxic chemicals that can damage the heart, lungs, and other vital organs.

The agency encouraged smokers and vapers seeking to quit to contact the DOH Quitline at 1558 for assistance.

DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa stressed the agency’s opposition to the rampant use of cigarettes and vapes, citing the tobacco industry’s aggressive promotion as a driver of disease and death in the country.