A major youth-led gathering in Cebu City has amplified the call for stronger measures against the tobacco industry's influence on young Filipinos. The TobaccOFF NOW Organization, in partnership with the Philippine Youth Summit, convened a significant youth summit on November 29, 2025, at the One Central Hotel.
Uniting Against Youth Addiction
The event brought together student councils and youth groups from across Cebu City to address the growing threat of nicotine addiction among minors. Participants included representatives from Abellana National School Supreme Secondary Learners Government, Cebu Normal University, Code Green, the Rotaract Club, University of Cebu, and the University of San Jose–Recoletos.
TobaccOFF NOW, officially launched on June 20, 2025, is a movement dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers of all nicotine products. This includes not just traditional cigarettes but also vapes and heated tobacco devices, which are increasingly popular among the youth.
Exposing Industry Strategies
The summit's first session featured a powerful panel discussion dissecting the tobacco industry's playbook for attracting young users. Speakers SK Chairman Dan Joshua A. Bautista of Lucena, Project Officer Irrah Kerstien Davocol of Iloilo, and social worker Nurr Faizal Dama of Cotabato City shed light on manipulative tactics.
They highlighted how product design and marketing are tailored to appeal to minors, coupled with a concerning lack of public awareness about the risks of e-cigarettes. The discussion also covered updates from the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control's COP11 meeting, emphasizing the global context of the fight.
The panelists issued strong calls to action. "Turn peer pressure into peer power," urged Davocol. Dama directly appealed to national leadership, stating, "I am calling on the government of the Philippines, including the President, to take stronger action." Bautista empowered the attendees, reminding them that "We are the writers and actors of our community."
Envisioning a Tobacco-Free Future
The afternoon session, hosted by Ace Licop Abu, focused on the organization's history and long-term vision for its advocacy. "It has to live longer," he emphasized regarding their projects.
A key highlight was a "Futures Thinking" workshop led by learning futurist Sugar Araña. She guided participants through scenario-building exercises to anticipate the future moves of the tobacco industry and prepare counter-strategies. "The future holds many doors… our role is to prepare for all of them," Araña told the engaged youth.
The summit sparked profound reflections. Participant Carlix Navaja noted, "This experience inspires us to take action… Tobacco may profit manufacturers, but it costs lives—and futures." Nurr Faizal Dama shared his personal motivation, citing rampant tobacco use among 10 to 18-year-olds in his community and his experience as the only non-smoker in his family.
For Aerona Christine Sabello, the event underscored the broader mission: "TobaccOFF NOW is more than an anti-tobacco movement. It empowers young people to shape public health policies and protect their communities."
The summit in Cebu has clearly marked a pivotal step in mobilizing the Filipino youth to not just resist addiction but to actively demand policy changes and secure a healthier future for their generation.
