“Puff the Magic Dragon” is a fairy tale poem written by Leonard Lipton which was then popularized in the airwaves as a hit song recorded by the famous group of Peter, Paul and Mary in 1963.

             The “puff” has inspired many in the passing of years. Unfortunately, its connotation has become a part of the negative parlance when we talk about smoking cigarettes or tobaccos.

            In national economy, it is a fact that the tobacco industry plays an important role in generating income and employment in the Philippines. The internal revenues collected from the industry helped the country towards development and growth. Even the promotion of the products of the industry has dealt with a lot of money to gain public acceptance.

            In previous years, only adults had been into it. It was followed by a proliferation wherein even females joined their male counterpart in the bandwagon. As of today regardless of gender, minors became fallen prey to the detrimental effects to health of cigarette smoking. Not only that, the must-be protected sector of the society who are branded as “passive smokers” has also been innocent victims of the unmitigated risks caused by smoking.

            Smoking breeds air pollution, sickness, illness, and health problems which directly affect the lives of many. Even a new-born baby in the cradle is not safe with the hampering effects that smoking brings to the formative years growth in the body and mind of an individual.

            The thrust of the government against smoking owes a great appreciation from the public, the smokers in particular. The integration of knowledge regarding the ill-effects of smoking within the four corners of the classroom must be welcomed by learners, both young and old.

            The advocacy of the Department of Education is a battle against the real and virtual menace of smoking  not only serves the welfare of the present general interest; but the for  benefit of a cleaner  air to breathe in a healthy environment  comes  the future.     

            The appreciation of the myth about the puffing dragon must live on but not the perennial practice of smoking which proves risky and fatal threat to everyone. “NO SMOKING” is to be respected since there are more useful and productive alternatives with which man can beneficially enjoy.   

By: JOCELYN A. BUSTAMANTE | Teacher III | Bataan National High School | City of Balanga, Bataan