29 May 2026
Benguet State University through the College of Nursing (CN) hosted a training on MPOWER (Monitor, Protect, Offer, Warn, Enforce, Raise)framework in partnership with Transcending Institutions and Communities, Inc. (TRANSCEND) aimed to strengthen local advocacy and implement tobacco control programs including vaping.
This is part of the college’s 36th Foundation Anniversary and Extension Program – Managing Adolescent health and Well being in Schools (MAAWIS) & Teachers’ Training through Acquisition of Knowledge and Development (TAKO) to Self-care and Empowerment: A Nurse-led initiative of BSU-CN.
The capacity building activity was driven by the Nurse-led Project MOMMA: Motivation to quit, Oral care Management, and Health Education, the interplay of culture towards “Momma & Tobacco Addiction & Dependence Prevention among Adolescents in Benguet Schools, and was attended by different school nurses and teachers from Benguet.
The program started with an opening remarks by Transcend Smoke Free – CAR Project Coordinator Ray-Ann Togana Bakidol, followed by CN Associate Dean and Project MOMMA Team Leader Jude L. Tayaben’s discussion on “Monitoring Tobacco Use and Prevention Policies”.
Tayaben presented the national and local data on Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) and Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) showing that tobacco use is a primary risk factor leading causes of death globally, which gives the local government unit and academic institutions a reason to enforce and strengthen their health program. He also discussed the Philippines’ obligation under the World Health Organization – Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO-FCTC), the benefits of a nicotine-free community, policy templates, and recognizing industry tactics on tobacco control.
In the second session, Togana-Bakidol focused on :Protecting People from Tobacco Smoke” addressing the links between smoking or vaping and non-communicable diseases, ill effects of second and third-hand smoke, designated smoking and vaping areas, and the 100 perimeter prohibition for retailers of cigarettes and vapes. She warned that the tobacco industry is targeting the younger generation with colorful, character-themed, and flavored vape products positioning these products as less harmful options.
CN Dean and project MOMMA member Mark U. Gay-as took charge of the third session, “Offering Help to Quit Tobacco Use and Warning about the danger of smoking” where he emphasized that in order to offer help to someone, we should first understand the mechanism of tobacco or nicotine addiction or dependence, gain awareness of the globally embraced strategy to help people quit tobacco or nicotine use, and to understand modalities for prevention and treatment and provide cessation services. Gay-as introduced the participants to the 5As framework (Ask, Advice, Assess, Assist, Arrange) and the toll free quit line: 1558 to help a person quit smoking.
Project MOMMA member Jayson M. Bimuyag, conducted the fourth session on “Warning about the Dangers of Tobacco” explaining that large, graphic health warnings featuring schocking images combined with text gives a stronger emotional reactions and better motivate smokers to quit than text-only warnings. He highlighted the Republic Act 10643 (The Graphic Health Warning Law) which replace old text-only warnings with 12 rotating graphic health warning templates provided by the Department of Health, and the Republic Act 11346 (Vaping and Heated Tobacco), which mandates that unit packets and outside wrappings of heated tobacco and electronic cigarette/vape products must also carry graphic health warnings. Bimuyag also stated that graphic health warnings do not just inform. They influence emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.
Togana-Bakidol then wrapped up the last session with the topic on “Enforcing ban on Tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship (TAPS) and Raising Tobacco tax”, outlining how to maintain smoke-free public with the help of different agencies including health offices, local government officials and the Philippine National Police. This includes educating students and parents during assemblies, ensuring that business and establishment owners and transport groups comply with the ordinance to remain smoke-free, and support coming from the top management can help successfully implement these health initiatives
The activity concluded with the awarding of certificates to the participants.//DPaydowan
