Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU) demonstrates its commitment to protecting and promoting the health and well-being of its academic community through the implementation of an institutional Smoke-Free Policy across its campuses. Anchored in Executive Order No. 26, series of 2017, which provides for the establishment of smoke-free environments in public and enclosed places, Republic Act No. 9211, or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003, and Executive Order No. 106, series of 2020, the University’s policy supports its responsibility to maintain a healthy, safe, and conducive environment for teaching, learning, research, and community engagement.

EVSU’s smoke-free commitment is institutionalized in Section 289 of the University Code, concerning the prohibition of smoking within University premises, and Chapter XVII, Article 64, of the 2017 Revised Students’ Handbook, which addresses the maintenance of a smoke-free environment. These provisions establish the University’s policy direction for restricting smoking within campus premises and protecting students, faculty, administrative personnel, and visitors from exposure to secondhand smoke. The policy also reinforces responsible lifestyle choices and promotes a culture of health, safety, and shared accountability throughout the University community.

At the national level, Executive Order No. 106, signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on February 26, 2020, regulates and restricts the use, sale, and manufacture of electronic cigarettes and other vaping products in the Philippines. It complements the country’s existing tobacco-control measures and amends the earlier nationwide smoke-free policy under Executive Order No. 26. Together, these national measures provide a broader policy framework for addressing the health risks associated with conventional tobacco products and electronic smoking devices. In this context, EVSU’s smoke-free advocacy supports efforts to prevent exposure to tobacco smoke and promote awareness of the health implications of smoking and vaping within the University community.

To strengthen awareness and encourage compliance, EVSU promotes smoke-free environments through campus information dissemination and health advocacy. These efforts may include the posting of smoke-free signage, the dissemination of policy reminders, and the integration of smoke-free principles into relevant student and employee orientations and institutional health campaigns. Through these measures, the University seeks to reinforce awareness of the risks associated with tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke while encouraging members of the academic community to contribute to a healthier campus environment.

EVSU’s smoke-free advocacy also complements its broader health promotion and environmental sustainability initiatives. By integrating tobacco-control principles into its institutional commitment to health and wellness, the University supports preventive health education, responsible behavior, and the protection of the campus community. These efforts contribute directly to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being), particularly its emphasis on reducing the health risks associated with tobacco use and promoting healthier lives for all.