Baguio: The city government's Health Services Office (HSO) is reaching out to schools to aid in reducing vape usage among students by confiscating the devices. 'We are collaborating with universities in curbing vaping. We hope that universities continue to do this to avoid exposing the students to unnecessary lung disorders because of vape,' stated Dr. Celia Flor Brillantes, city health officer, during the Lung Summit Medical Mission held at the President Fidel Valdez Ramos gymnasium.
According to Philippines News Agency, the event was organized by the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP). Despite a notable decrease in cigarette smoking from 35.4 percent to 13.1 percent since 2014, the Baguio City Anti-Smoking Task Force has observed a shift among smokers towards vaping. Brillantes highlighted that the nicotine content in vapes is comparable to 2.5 packs of cigarettes, and that vape fluid contains hazardous substances beyond formaldehyde and toluene, posing significant health risks.
The HSO is also engaging with government agencies managing social media platforms to curb the online sale of vapes. 'It is very important that we get their cooperation. We in the grassroots are doing extra effort but we are hard up with other factors such as online advertisement and selling. Selling of vapes in shops is prohibited but we hope they help us regulate and remove such items online so that it does not become accessible,' Brillantes added.
The Lung Summit Medical Mission also addressed broader health concerns. Dr. Louella De Leon, a pulmonologist at Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) and ACCP member, noted that lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of death in Baguio. 'The medical mission is a small move but it will help because the act does not stop here to address the problem. We give quality medicines, we refer the patients to the doctor for continuous medication,' De Leon explained. The event provided free consultations, pulmonary function tests, x-rays, and medicines to at least 250 individuals across various age groups.
