NO TO VAPES IN SCHOOLS

MARY ANN M.SANGALANG

The Department of Education (DepEd) has intensified its efforts to end vaping within school premises.

This includes prohibiting the selling and promotion of the product within a school's 100meter radius.

DepEd officials said the agency will collaborate with other government agencies to ensure strict compliance with the ban.

The Department is intensifying the implementation of its programs, from Friends versus Drugs that became Friends versus Vices, and integrating it to its mental health program.

The programs were launched in adherence to DepEd Order 14 and DepEd Memorandum 111, which prohibits the use of cigarettes and vapes in schools.

They also created a task force, led by the llearners who will serve as watchdogs, DepEd added.

Among the partner agencies for the campaign are the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The DILG and DOH will help cascade policies and awareness campaigns beyond school premises, while the DTI will assist the DepEd stop the sale of vapes, considering its enticing marketing strategy.

The agency will work together with each government agency, especially in local government units to ensure that vapes will not be available to learners.

Meanwhile, the DepEdnwarned learners that vaping is highly addictive and may cause low concentration, withdrawal symptoms, and may even affect brain functions.

According to the Department, vaping has many bad side effects. Especially because oftentimes, it has a very high nicotine content. It's very addicting and enticing.

The DepEd also urged parents and teachers to become role models and participate in the its awareness campaigns.

In an earlier report, the DepEd said around 6 to 7 percent of Grade 7 to Grade 9 learners have already tried or are using vape.

The Philippine Pediatric Society, likewise, reported that around 11 percent of students aged 10 to 15 have tried vaping as per 2021 data.

-oOoThe author is Teacher II at Rizal Con. Elementary School