Baguio City wins global tobacco control award

Baguio City has received a 2025 Bloomberg Philanthropies Award for Global Tobacco Control for its effective initiatives in monitoring tobacco use and fostering partnerships with medical institutions.

The award was presented on June 23 at the World Conference on Tobacco Control in Dublin, Ireland, with Mayor Benjamin Magalong accepting the honor.

Baguio's recognition stems from its adherence to the World Health Organization's MPOWER strategy, particularly its implementation of the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) and Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS).

These surveys have been instrumental in shaping local policies aimed at curbing tobacco consumption.

The city's strict enforcement of its 2017 Smoke-Free Ordinance, managed by a dedicated city task force, also contributed to the award.

Baguio City was previously acknowledged for its tobacco control efforts in 2018.

Other countries honored include Ukraine, India, Mauritius, Mexico, and Montenegro for their respective tobacco control achievements.