Baguio City has officially received the World No Tobacco Day 2026 Award from the World Health Organization (WHO), recognizing the city’s sustained efforts in tobacco control and in promoting smoke-free public spaces.
The award was presented to the City Government of Baguio on June 15, 2026, after the Flag Raising Ceremony at the City Hall Grounds. It was signed by WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and presented to the city by Dr. Florante Trinidad, Technical Officer of Tobacco Free Initiatives at WHO Philippines.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong, chairperson of the Smoke-Free Baguio Task Force, received the award together with co-chairperson City Health Officer Dr. Celia Flor Brillantes and members of the task force.
The WHO recognized Baguio City for its continued leadership in keeping public places free from tobacco and e-cigarette use, as well as for advancing tobacco control at the local government level.
According to the WHO, Baguio’s work includes consistent enforcement, sustained public education, and partnerships with civil society and academic institutions. These efforts have helped strengthen smoke-free norms and increase public awareness on the harms of tobacco and emerging nicotine products.
Local authorities have also continued to promote smoke-free spaces and enforce regulations aimed at reducing tobacco use and protecting public health.
A key foundation of the city’s tobacco control efforts is City Ordinance No. 34, Series of 2017, also known as the Smoke-Free Baguio Ordinance.
The ordinance prohibits the use, sale, distribution, and advertisement of cigarettes and other tobacco products in certain places, with corresponding penalties for violations. It also helped institutionalize the city’s smoke-free campaign through the creation and continued work of the Smoke-Free Baguio Task Force.
Through the ordinance, the city strengthened enforcement, monitoring, inspection, public education, and advocacy activities in different barangays and public spaces. It also became one of the local mechanisms that supported Baguio’s broader campaign against tobacco use, vaping, and exposure to secondhand smoke.
Every year, the WHO recognizes individuals and organizations from its six regions for notable contributions to tobacco control.
For the Western Pacific Region, Baguio City was among the 2026 awardees, together with:
His Excellency Touch Chanthy, Permanent Member of the Economic, Social and Cultural Council, Office of the Council of Ministers, Kingdom of Cambodia;
Professor Chung-mau Lo, Secretary for Health, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People’s Republic of China;
People’s Government of Shenzhen Municipality, People’s Republic of China; and
A shared award for the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, including the Department of Legislation, Ministry of Health; Health Policy and Strategy Institute; Poison Control Center Bach Mai Hospital; and the Tobacco Control Fund.
The recognition places Baguio City among the local governments in the Western Pacific Region cited for their contribution to protecting communities from the harms of tobacco and nicotine addiction.
It also serves as a reminder of the importance of local enforcement, public cooperation, and community-based health programs in creating cleaner and healthier public spaces.
As Baguio continues its tobacco control initiatives, the WHO award highlights the city’s role as a model for other local governments working to strengthen smoke-free policies and protect future generations from tobacco and nicotine addiction.
Sources: Smoke-Free Baguio, World Health Organization; Philippine Information Agency
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