By: Shaina Mae Serrano, Kaezel Celestial, and Cedrick Ansano

In the midst of bustling streets, industrial hums, and a busy highway, a quiet culprit contributes to the air pollution problem. Smoking, often seen as a personal vice, releases smoke that mixes with the air, adding to the growing concern. While its impact on air quality may seem minor compared to other sources, the effects of smoking on health are far more sinister.

Rodrigo Abrigo, 72, says that smoking has been a habit since he was 24 years old. He used to take two to three sticks of cigarettes a day. However, when he got sick with liver disease, he decided to stop. 

“I used to smoke,” he recounted, “but when I got sick with liver disease, and one of the causes was smoking, I stopped smoking because I wanted to live longer as well as the people who inhale the smoke, especially my family,” Rodrigo said.

He shared his personal struggle with smoking, revealing how it started as a result of peer influence but eventually became a deeply habit. 

“I started smoking due to a friend’s influence, and it quickly turned into an addiction. Before I knew it, I couldn’t imagine a day without reaching for a cigarette whenever stress hit,” Abrigo stated.

Rodrigo didn’t experience any significant health issues, and smoking even seemed to provide him with a sense of happiness and relaxation whenever he felt stressed. However, years of smoking took a toll on his health. 

“It wasn’t until later that I started feeling abdominal pain, fatigue, and I don’t feel like eating anymore,” he recalled.

The turning point came when Rodrigo woke up in the hospital, shocked to learn that he had developed liver disease, one cause is smoking.

Ma. Luisa Portugal, nurse coordinator of non-communicable diseases in Guinobatan Health Center, stated that the negative effects of smoking on a smoker include liver  disease or cirrhosis, heart problems, cancer, bad breath, and yellowing of the teeth.

Portugal also emphasized that smoking contributes to air pollution.

“Smoking contributes to air pollution, with its smoke having the most significant impact directly on people. The smoke that mixes with air and is inhaled by those around them can have even worse effects,” Portugal stated.

The risk of secondhand smoke

Early life exposure to secondhand smoke impairs negative effects including lung development and increases the risk of respiratory infection, according to Portugal. Second-hand smoke is a mixture of the smoke from the burning tip of a cigarette and the smoke exhaled by a smoker.

Mary Claire Palenzuela, 21, has battled asthma since birth until she turns 14 years old. She recalls her childhood filled with her father’s cigarette smoke.

“I would have asthma attacks every month without fail, often triggered by the smoke my father takes,” she said. “My mom would plead with him to quit smoking at home, but he wouldn’t hear her warnings, leaving me to suffer the consequences,” she stated.

She also stated that she takes two to three times of nebulizer treatments a day until her breathing returns to normal.

“Growing up, my nebulizer was a constant companion. Even a hint of cigarette smoke would trigger my asthma, forcing me to rely on two to three doses of salbutamol—a medicine just to breathe normally everyday,” said Palenzuela.

Portugal warned that secondhand smoke exposure can lead to serious health issues.

“Exposure to cigarette smoke puts people at higher risk of developing diseases, especially lung diseases. Exposure to smoke can cause persistent coughing, which may progress to more serious conditions like pneumonia or tuberculosis,” Portugal stated.

As what Portugal points out, secondhand smoke is a real and present danger that can impact anyone, anywhere. Whether it is in a crowded public space or a quiet gathering with friends, the risks are real.

To combat issues related to smoking, Guinobatan town has an existing ordinance addressing the matter.

 “An ordinance regulating the youth, sale, distribution, and advertisements of cigarettes and other targeted products, imposing penalties for violations thereof and providing policy therefore for other purposes in the municipality of Guinobatan,” Portugal stated. 

Before the pandemic, the Guinobatan town in Albay province also implemented an ordinance to reduce secondhand smoke exposure, mandating “No Smoking” signs in public places like markets and the plaza. As well, removing signage that advertises cigarettes.

Portugal said they ran a rehabilitation program for smokers, however, when the COVID-19 pandemic hits, the rehabilitation was terminated. 

“We used to have one before, but it stopped when COVID-19 hit,” Portugal recounted. “Around 20 people used to get rehabilitated back then,” she added.

Most of the time, those they rehabilitated were aged 24-30 years old. Portugal is actively working on some ordinances about smoking, and vaping is included too. She also shared that there are so many cigarette posters and vape shops displayed again.

Impact of Smoking to Air Quality 

Portugal claimed that smoke from cigarettes contributes to air pollution.

“Smoking contributes to air pollution, with its smoke having the most significant impact directly on people. The smoke that mixes with air and is inhaled by people around them can have even worse effects,” Portugal stated.

Cigarettes also pose a subtle yet significant threat to the environment. When lit, the chemicals within cigarettes release toxic fumes that blend with the air, contributing to pollution. These chemicals do not just vanish; they linger, affecting the air we breathe and the world around us.

Bernie Castillo, Environmental Management System from the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Bicol under the Air Quality Monitoring Unit, there are three types of emission sources that impact air quality monitoring: stationary sources, mobile sources, and area sources. Smoking is included in area sources.

“There are three main emission sources: area sources which can be found in households, construction sites. Stationary sources such as factories, and mobile sources where vehicles produce smoke belching,” Castillo said.

Castillo said identifying the primary source of pollution in an area is crucial. While areas near industrial zones might suggest stationary sources as the main contributor, however, Castillo emphasized that mobile sources are the biggest culprit of pollution. 

“For me, mobile sources contribute the most because they are everywhere—even just outside the area, it’s already intense,” Castillo said. 

However, each of the emission sources such as smoking, contributes to air pollution in big or small ways. 

Breathing easy in Albay

Despite the threats of pollution that looms elsewhere, Albay’s lush tree cover has been a natural resource, keeping its air quality remarkably favorable. According to Castillo, the province’s air has consistently been in good shape, a testament to its natural advantages.

Castillo said they have been keeping a close eye on the air quality of Tabaco, Legazpi, and Ligao Cities, and the results or levels of the cities for particulate matter 10 generally fall within the “good” range, which means the air quality is at zero to 50 concentration level and also means the air is not only clean but safe to breathe.

The EMB data from 2022 to 2024 tells a remarkable story of Albay’s air quality remaining in good condition, a trend that speaks volumes about the province’s commitment to preserving its natural resources. For those who call Albay home, it’s more than just a statistic—it’s a daily reality that enriches their lives with every breath of fresh air.

Various programs were implemented by the EMB Bicol for monitoring and enforcement of policies and regulations pertaining to the three major emission source categories affecting air quality, with the objective of reducing air pollutants and improving overall air quality. 

For area sources, programs like “Bantay Sunog ng Basura” (Monitoring of Waste Burning) were implemented as part of Solid Waste Management initiatives to contribute to air quality improvement.

Regarding stationary sources, they conducted stack emission testing to determine the types and levels of pollutants released. Initiatives such as “Bantay Tsimineya” (Industrial Emissions Monitoring) and programs addressing incineration (the combustion of materials) were implemented for stationary sources through EMB Regional Offices (EMB-ROs). 

For mobile sources, mandatory emission testing was conducted. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR–EMB), in partnership with other Local Government Units, conducted key emission control program measures like “Bantay Tambutso” (Vehicular Emissions Monitoring) or “Anti-Smoke Belching Operations.” Certificate of Conformity permitting and fuel quality monitoring, including the Alternative Fuel Program, were also integral components of this category.

As local environmental agencies continue their vital work in monitoring air quality across cities like Legazpi, Tabaco, and Ligao, understanding all sources of pollution becomes paramount. While industrial emissions and vehicular exhaust are prominent, the cumulative impact of individual smoking habits presents a pervasive and persistent challenge to maintaining the “good” air quality that a region like Bicol strives for.