How to Stop Before It Starts: The Case of an Anti-Smoking Campaign for High Schools in the Philippines

Abstract

One of the most common problems in the education system in northern Iloilo is students are escaping from classes to smoke with friends and classmates. This act resulted to slow performances in all subject areas. This research aims to find out the influence of anti-smoking campaigns such as symposiums, posters, lectures and video clips to the Junior High School students in northern Iloilo, Philippines. All the students were classified into three categories; non-smokers, second-hand smokers, and smokers. Two from each category were purposively selected. Interview and observation were utilized. The study revealed that non-smokers assured that they will not get involved in this kind of vices, second-hand smokers vowed to encourage their parents, relatives, friends, and classmates to stop cigarette smoking, and smokers to stop smoking because of the results to our organ systems. Health is very important to all the informants. Also, many of these participants belong to below-average learners. In this study, anti-smoking campaigns are effective methods to discourage students to smoke. No e-cigarettes smokers in the group because of its values. Parents and guardians play a vital role in the implementation of this advocacy. Also, the local government units should regulate the implementation of policies and ordinances regarding the smoking of minors. Thus, anti-smoking campaigns and messages could be excellent avenues to educate students about ordinances and laws, and the effects of smoking on our health.