Magalong pushes total vape ban in Baguio

BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Benjamin Magalong is pushing for a total ban on all vapes after the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Cordillera confirmed that a vape device containing marijuana was confiscated in a school here. According to Magalong, the PDEA presented him with two vapes containing marijuana and a lighter that were voluntarily given by a school and were subjected to laboratory examination and tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive component of cannabis. Because of this, Magalong reaffirmed his position against the use and sale of all vape devices in the city, due to this serious health problem, especially for the youth. “We have clearly and explicitly stated that we strongly recommend a complete ban on vape due to serious health issues. That is why we, in the concern of Baguio, advocate for a complete ban,” Magalong said. Smoke-Free Task Force personnel are continuing to enforce City Ordinance No. 34, Series of 2017, which prohibits the sale of vape devices, but the accessibility of online purchases and through illegal operations pose obstacles to the complete implementation of the ordinance. “The sale of vape devices online is also widespread and one of the real challenges there is that they are mixed with various types of drugs. We are now coordinating with each school to restrict students from using vape,” Magalong said. PDEA is a partner of the city in their intervention operations and increasing preventive awareness campaigns as part of their commitment to a healthier and safer smoke-free Baguio City.