To: Undersecretaries
Assistant Secretaries
Bureau Directors
Directors of Services, Centers and Heads of Units Regional Directors
Schools Division/City Superintendents
Heads, Public and Private Elementary and Secondary Schools All Others Concerned

1. The Department of Education (DepEd) has issued the enclosed Guidelines on the Adoption and Implementation of the Public Health Policies on Tobacco Control and on Protection Against Tobacco Industry Interference in compliance with the following:1.a. Republic Act (RA) No. 9211 known as Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003;
   1.b. Joint Memorandum Circular 2010-01 issued by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and the Department of Health (DOH) entitled “Protection of the Bureaucracy Against Tobacco Industry Interference”; and
   1.c. Guidelines for the Implementation of Article 5.3 of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO- FCTC).
2. These Guidelines aim to:a. raise the awareness of the public particularly the pupils and students by advocating the adverse effects of cigarettes smoking on health, productivity, the cost of health service, and the economy;
   b. avoid all forms and manner of cooperation or partnership with the tobacco industry; and
   c. ensure tobacco control and protection against commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry.
3. Any violation of these Guidelines shall be considered a ground for administrative disciplinary action pursuant to Rule XIV (Discipline) of the Omnibus Rules Implementing Book V of Executive Order No. 292, without prejudice to the filing of criminal as well as civil actions under existing laws, rules, and regulations.
4. Immediate dissemination of and strict compliance with this Order is directed.

Encl.:
As stated
Reference:
None

To be indicated in the Perpetual Index under the following subjects:
EMPLOYEES
OFFICIALS
POLICY
RULES & REGULATIONS
SCHOOLS

DO_s2012_06