Advocates ASH, FCAP & EcoWaste Coalition Back MMDA-Led Drive to Enforce Ban
& Back MMDA’s push to keep youth safe from smoking and vaping
26 May 2026, Quezon City. In anticipation of World No Tobacco Day on May 31 and the June 8 return of public school classes, health and environmental groups backed the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) campaign to shield youth from the harms of smoking and vaping.
The Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance Philippines (FCAP), and the EcoWaste Coalition, in particular, welcomed the MMDA’s efforts to enforce the ban on the sale of cigarettes, vapes, and other novel tobacco products near schools and other youth-centered places as part of its “smoke-free environment” campaign.
Health and environmental groups call for strict enforcement of the 100-meter rule to protect children and youth from the harms of smoking and vaping.
Dr. Maricar Limpin, executive director of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Philippines, lamented that “tobacco and vape retailers continue to sell these products near schools and other places frequented by minors despite long-standing legal prohibitions.”
Republic Act No. 9211, or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003, bans the sale of tobacco products within 100 meters from any point of the perimeter of schools, public playgrounds, and other youth-oriented facilities, while Executive Order No. 106 (2020), further strengthened by RA 11900, or the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Regulation Act of 2022, extended similar restrictions to vape and other novel tobacco products.
“This is how the industry exploits weak enforcement, by positioning its products as close as possible to young people, then amplifying exposure through advertising, promotions, and product displays,” Limpin added.
“The next generation deserves schools and youth spaces that are free from tobacco and nicotine promotion, addiction, and toxic waste,” said Bobby Del Rosario, president of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance Philippines (FCAP). “We welcome and fully support the MMDA initiative of posting warnings in stores prohibited from selling cigarettes and vapes near schools, as well as the efforts of cities and municipalities that penalize retailers and establishments repeatedly violating these protected youth zones.”
Del Rosario also thanked MMDA Chairman Atty. Romando Artes and General Manager Nicolas Torre III for leading the enforcement drive against violations that have long persisted despite the passage of the Tobacco Regulation Act more than two decades ago.
For her part, Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator of the EcoWaste Coalition, urged Metro Manila mayors, together with all barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairpersons, to strengthen local actions to promote a smoke-free environment in time for the resumption of classes.
“To complement the absolute ban on smoking and vaping in all schools, we urge local government leaders, especially our mayors, barangay and SK chairs, to join the MMDA in ensuring that cigarettes, vapes, and other novel tobacco products are not advertised, distributed, and sold by stores and vendors near schools and other youth-focused care, sports, and recreational facilities,” she said.
“Strictly enforcing tobacco and vape laws safeguards our youth from addiction while keeping our environment free from toxic litter such as residual cigarette butts and used electronic smoking devices (ESDs),” she pointed out.
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Reference:
https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/2/314
https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2022/ra_11900_2022.html
https://lawphil.net/executive/execord/eo2020/eo_106_2020.html
https://www.deped.gov.ph/2016/06/28/do-48-s-2016-policy-and-guidelines-on-comprehensive-tobacco-control/
https://www.deped.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/DM_s2019_111.pdf
