BAGUIO, Philippines – Years of sustained enforcement, thousands of recorded violations and a sharp decline in smoking prevalence earned Baguio City a World Health Organization (WHO) award on Monday, setting it apart from many local governments that have anti-smoking ordinances but struggle to enforce them.
Baguio received a 2026 World No Tobacco Day Award on Monday morning, June 15, from Dr. Florante Trinidad, national professional officer for WHO Philippines’ Tobacco Free Initiative.
“The data shows that they are really doing something. They are sustaining the enforcement of the ordinance. Unlike other local government units with similar ordinances, they lack enforcement or implementation,” Trinidad said.
The recognition comes nearly eight years after Baguio began implementing its Smoke-Free Baguio Ordinance, one of the country’s strictest anti-smoking and anti-vaping measures.
Records from the City Health Services Office (CHSO) show authorities recorded 27,742 violations involving individuals and establishments from 2018 to June 6, 2026.
