By Cyrus A. Natividad

Centralian Anti-Smoking advocate and Executive Director of Iloilo City Anti-Smoking Task Force (ICAST), Iñigo D. Garingalao conducted a webinar on the ill-effects of smoking. It was aired live on CPUTV Channel’s program: Kasanagan: A Webinar Series on Social Issues (Courtesy of the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Esther Rose Romarate). The program airs on Wednesdays twice a month on CPU TV.

Relatively the title “Kasanagan” (Enlightenment), this program provided an opportunity for students and individual smokers to realize the dangers of smoking. Garingalao’s lecture was timely. Hopefully, many student attendees deeply imbibed the reality about the effects of smoking – not only on health, but on their future in general. Garingalao not only discussed about cigarettes, but he emphasizes, “the Vape has almost the same danger as the cigarette.” More so, in pandemic time, he asked, “how is it not possible for the corona virus to dash- trace on the vape as users take it in and out of their mouths; a bigger risk is seen during a vaping session (vape transfers from one mouth to another).” Until he has lectured publicly on TV, students and young people were not mostly aware of this possibility and danger.

“The other regrettable incidence are on those caught violating the anti-smoking ordinance of the city. The penalty has become more expensive.” He narrated that he told someone that it might be “Okay if you may smoke inside your car but if you’d be caught or arrested by entering a non-smoking zone like CPU, chances are, the authorities can file a case or cases against you; it will have consequences when you process papers for your employment later.”

Garingalao shared many cases and stories of smokers who lost not only opportunities, but their lives. He shared the story of his brother who was a diehard smoker; bigger than him, who, after a long period of being a smoker, recently has passed away. The Anti-Smoking Czar who is a Centralian is doing his best to do the right thing. Garingalao has received awards on anti-smoking campaigns with the Iloilo City Hall. Due to his concerns on friends and people, he became the testimony himself. He was rewarded with another position as City Agriculturist by Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Trenas.

“Smoking Kills. Stop Smoking!”