EXTENT OF AWARENESS ON COMPREHENSIVE ANTI-SMOKING ORDINANCE IN BAGUIO CITY ALONG THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT (CBD) Researchers: Dela

Dela Dela Dela Cruz, Cruz, Cruz, Cruz, Juan (BSEd 1) Maria (ABMC 1) Pedro (BSIT 1) Mia (BSBA 1)

I. INTRODUCTION Credible studies reveal that cigarette smoking continues to be the primary cause of lung cancer and other diseases. Interestingly, surveys show that despite these warnings, the number of smokers is continuously increasing as well. According to a study conducted by R. Palaganas in 2010, Marketing Supervisor of Phillip Morris in Baguio City, there are more or less 47,000 smokers in the city, excluding individuals aged 1821 (personal communication, 2011). Hence, Baguio City officials have launched a campaign to strengthen the implementation of Ordinance No. 8 series of 2008 of the Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance of Baguio City. The law prohibits smoking in public conveyances like public utility vehicles, pedestrians and overpasses, assembly halls, educational institutions, theaters, hospitals and government. The anti-smoking ordinance metes violators with fines ranging from P500 to P2,000.00 or imprisonment or not less than one to six months or both upon discretion of the courts (Agreda, 2011). Many local residents and tourists, however, expressed disappointment on the local government failure to provide accurate and consistent information about the ordinance. They complained about the lack of No Smoking Signs in banned places. Hence, critics argue that how can one abide by the ordinance if it does not clearly state or define the public places (See, 2010). It is in this context that this action research was pursued. The researchers wanted to determine the extent of awareness of Baguio residents and tourists on the Comprehensive

Anti-Smoking Ordinance of Baguio City. Results of this study were forwarded to the City Council for possible evaluation, planning and action. Specifically, this study aimed to answer the following questions: 1. What is the extent of awareness of Baguio folks on Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance in the city along: a. Session; b. Harrison; c. Abanao; and d. Magsaysay? 2. What is the respondents main source of information on come the Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance in Baguio City? II. METHODS AND PROCEDURES The researchers utilized descriptive-survey method in determining the extent of awareness of Baguio folks on the Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance in the city. There were a total of 800 respondents who willingly participated in the research, 300 of them are smokers and 500 are non-smokers. The demographic profile of the respondents is presented in table 1. Table 1 Profile of the Respondents
Sex Male Female Age 16-21 21-30 31-40 Above 40 Barangay Session Harrison Abanao Magsaysay TOTAL Frequency 600 200 Frequency 150 350 200 100 Frequency 200 200 200 200 800 % 66.67 33.33 %
18.75 43.75 25.00 12.50

% 25.00 25.00 25.00 25.00 100.00%

The study covered a period of two months (or 8 Sundays), including the data gathering and writing of the research report.

The researchers made use of a questionnaire checklist to gather data (please see Appendix A). The actual data gathering were done in November 6 and 13, 2011, whereby the researchers administered the questionnaires to people who passed along Session Road, Harrison Road, Abanao Street and Magsaysay Road. The researchers stayed in every main corner of the aforementioned thoroughfares and personally administered the questionnaires to every 10th person who passed by them. Some respondents filled-out the checklist themselves, others asked the researchers to just read the questions and they just answered orally while the researchers jotted down their responses. Data gathered were statistically treated using percentage and rank. III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Table 2 presents extent of awareness of the people of Baguio as to the citys Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance. As shown, majority are aware of the anti-smoking in public places among the respondents in Session (70%) and in Magsaysay (60%). On the contrary, half of the respondents in Harrison (50%) are unaware of the anti-smoking ordinance and most are unaware among the respondents in Abanao (40%). Table 2 Extent of Awareness on Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance in Baguio City
Extent of Awareness Very Aware Aware Slightly Aware Unaware Total Session f % 20 10.00 140 70.00 30 15.00 10 5.00 200 100.00 Harrison f % 30 15.00 30 15.00 100 50.00 40 20.00 200 100.00 Abanao f 20 60 80 40 200 % 10.00 30.00 40.00 20.00 100.00 Magsaysay f % 20 10.00 120 60.00 30 15.00 30 15.00 200 100.00

Table 3 reveals how the respondents knew about the Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance in Baguio City. Apparently, the respondents in Session, Abanao and Magsaysay who claimed knowledge of the policy identified TV ads/news as the main source of their awareness. On the other hand, the respondents in Harrison pointed to their school teachers as one who told them about the anti-smoking policy in public places.

Table 3 Main Source of Information on the Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance in Baguio City
Source Newspaper Ads TV Ads/News Radio Ads/News No Smoking Signs Billboards Dissemination Forum Press Conference School/teacher From a friend/relative Session f Rank 20 3 33 1 13 4 9 5 5 8 8 6 3 9 25 2 7 7 Harrison f Rank 6 7 9 4 8 5 7 6 11 3 4 8 2 9 23 1 12 2 Abanao f Rank 12 3 34 1 13 2 4 7 8 5 9 4 0 9 2 8 5 6 Magsaysay f Rank 19 3 27 1 12 7 13 6 18 4 2 8 1 9 25 2 14 5

IV. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS In light of the abovementioned findings, the following are conclusions of the study:
1. People in Session, Harrison and Abanao are aware of the

Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance in Baguio City, whereas people in Abanao are unaware of the said policy. 2. TV ads/news and schools/teachers are the main sources of the respondents awareness of the anti-smoking ordinance. Based on the conclusions, the following are recommended by the researchers: 1. Since there are a substantial percentage of people who are unaware of the Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance in Baguio City, the city officials, together with the academe, concerned agencies and NGOs need to strengthen their information dissemination campaign. Additionally, they need to sit down, plan and discuss a systematic and organized way to inform the public to avoid confusion and inconsistency, thereby expecting positive results. 2. Further studies be conducted regarding this matter to validate or substantiate these findings. Studies on the extent of implementation among authorities and compliance among the citizens are highly recommended.

V. REFERENCES
Agreda, J.M. (2011). Baguio nets P135,000 from smoking violators. SunStar Baguio. Retrieved on October 2, 2011 at http://www.sunstar.com.ph/baguio/local-news/2011/06/24/baguionets-p135000-smoking-violators-162955

See, D.A. (19 December 2010). No-smoking policy in Baguio pushed. Manila Bulletin. Manila: Manila Bulletin Publishing Corporation.

VI. APPENDICES Appendix A: Questionnaire Checklist Name (optional): _______________ Sex: __ Male __ Female Age: _________ Please read the following questions and answer as honestly as possible. Rest assured that your responses will be treated with utmost respect and confidentiality. Thank you very much. 1. Are you a resident of Baguio City? __ Yes __ No If NO, where is your permanent residence? ___________(Province) 2. Are you a cigarette smoker? __ Yes __ No If NO, proceed immediately to item 4 If YES, please answer items 3 3. Where do you usually smoke a cigarette? (Check 3 only) __ Anywhere __ At Home __ Caf/Restaurant __ Public Parks __ Bus/Jeepney __ Street/Overpass __ Others (pls. specify_________________) 4. Are you aware of the Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance in Baguio City which prohibits cigarette smoking in public places? __ Yes, Im very much aware __ Ive heard of it, yes __ I guess so, but Im not really sure __ No, never heard of that before 5. Where did you get the information about the Comprehensive AntiSmoking Ordinance in Baguio City? (Check 1 only) __ Newspaper Ads __ TV Ads/News __ Radio Ads/News __ No Smoking Signs __ Billboards __ Dissemination Forum __ Press Conferences __ School/teacher __ Others (pls. specify_________________)

Appendix B Sample Filled-Out Questionnaires

Appendix C Pictures (Documentation)

Appendix D Interview Transcripts (Including Interview Guide)

Research Topics Aso Mo, Itali Mo Tapat Mo, Linis Mo CO2 Absorbing Plants Waste Segregation Garbage problems