Anti-tobacco youth movement targets 1,000 advocates for IYD

By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan

MANILA — A youth-led anti-tobacco group has launched its International Youth Day (IYD) 2025 celebration with a month-long lineup of activities aimed at mobilizing 1,000 young advocates against the tobacco industry’s influence.

The TobaccOFF NOW! Movement’s “Tropang TobaccOFF, Tara Na!” campaign combines community caravans, advocacy gatherings, and leadership training to build the next generation of youth advocates.

From Aug. 2 to 8, the group held its initial TOURopa Caravans in Lucena City, Calapan City, Quezon City, Manila, and Pampanga, drawing around 800 participants.

The caravans aim to raise awareness about the movement’s mission and expose the tactics used by the tobacco industry to target young people, addressing misconceptions about cigarettes, vapes, heated tobacco products (HTPs), and nicotine pouches.

The caravan will continue until December, with more stops planned nationwide.

The group is set to hold “Youth Hour 2025: Take Back Our Future” today in Quezon City, an open mic event where volunteers and advocates can share stories and experiences to inspire others to join the anti-tobacco movement.

The TobaccOFF NOW! Film Festival Boot Camp, which began Aug. 11 and runs until Aug. 15, will train aspiring youth filmmakers to produce short films for the TobaccOFF NOW! Film Festival in December.

These films will counter industry messaging, particularly on “smoke-free alternatives” and “reduced-risk products.”

Another initiative, the Community Patrollers Boot Camp from Aug. 21 to 24, will gather 30 youth leaders, storytellers, and advocates from across the country for training on creating localized campaigns and activities to launch in September.

Participants will receive small grants for projects such as community events, social media campaigns, art performances, radio guestings, and written articles, in partnership with local organizations.

Vonn Vincent Tanchuan, the movement’s communications lead, said the campaign welcomes all Filipino youth who want to curb smoking and challenge the industry’s deceptive practices.

“Tropang TobaccOFF, Tara Na! really represents the collective voice of the youth since the beginning,” Tanchuan said.

“The more young people we involve, the stronger we get as we call on the tobacco industry to back off from our lives and our future,” he added.