PNP to go after smoking, vaping minors

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it will go after minors who are smoking and vaping outside the school, according to Jun Veneracion’s “24 Oras” report on Tuesday.

The PNP said they will focus more on the students, especially minors, who smoke cigarettes or use vape, and will handle the case in accordance with existing laws and local ordinances.

“Ang focus po nito ay 'yung ating mga menor de edad. Subalit medyo special po ang gagawin nating handling dito sa case na ito sapagkat ang gagawin ng ating pambansang pulisya ay sila muna ay sisitahin, pagbabawalan, at paaalalahanan,” PNP PIO chief Police Colonel Redrico Maranan said.

(The focus of this is on our minors but we will be handling this case in a special way because the police will remind them first and then prohibit them.)

“Kukumpiskahin natin ang vape kung talagang medyo matigas ang ulo at paulit-ulit pagsita,” he added.

(We will confiscate the vape if they are hard-headed and have to be repeatedly reminded.)

The PNP said the restriction came after they received several complaints from parents through text and messages on social media.

Based on figures gathered by the GMA News Research Team from the Global Youth Tobacco survey in 2019, it showed that the country is facing a big problem when it comes to discussion on the access of cigarettes.

Of at least 6,670 students aged 13 to 15 questioned, more than half said they saw cigarettes being sold outside the school, while at least 37.1% of the smokers said that they were not even prevented from buying even when they were minors.

At Batasan Hills National High School, the parents of the students caught smoking will be called immediately.

“You want to study in this school? You have to follow our policy. If you cannot stand the heat of the kitchen2, you go out,” Bataan Hills National High School principal Dr. Jojo Escolano said.

“'Pag hindi po nila pinigilan, 'yung mga minor na nagsigarilyo malululong sa ganoon,” a student said.

(If they don't stop minors from smoking, they will be addicted to that.) —Richa Noriega/KG, GMA Integrated News