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[av_heading heading=’ HOLY SMOKE! More city puffers ignore smoking ban ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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ILOILO City – From January to June this year, the Iloilo City Anti-Smoking Task Force (ICAST) apprehended a total of 2,774 persons for smoking in public – a violation of the city ordinance prohibiting such.
These apprehensions were higher than the 1,981 recorded in 2016, ICAST data showed.
The breakdown of statistics showed the following violators in the first half of the year:
* students – 285
* drivers – 92
* minors – 38
* other civilians – 2,359
Most of the apprehensions were done in the barangays, according to ICAST.
“We call on everyone’s cooperation on our local anti-smoking ordinance and to support the nationwide smoking ban ordered by no less than President Rodrigo Roa Duterte,” said Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog.
The President’s Executive Order No. 26 provided for the establishment of smoke-free environments in public and enclosed places. It took effect on July 23.
“One of the biggest challenges for us and to our City Health Office (CHO) is to really go down in the barangay level and make the people aware of the ill-effects of smoking,” said ICAST director Iñigo Garingalao.
Barangay officials not enforcing the city ordinance banning smoking in public places and conveyances and the President’s executive order may be held liable, he warned.
He also called the attention of parents of minors vending cigarettes.
“May multa sa nagabakal sa minor kag ang nagasugo sa minor nga magbaligya,” said Garingalao.
A national survey showed most minors were exposed to second-hand smoke in the house, he said.
It also seemed that some parents were not really strict, he added.
This was last year’s breakdown of smoking ban violators:
* students – 299
* drivers – 164
* minors – 40
* other civilians – 1,478
Garingalao is set to meet with CHO head Dr. Bernard Caspe; Liga ng mga Barangay president Reyland Hervias; chief of police in all districts; and personnel of City Engineer’s Office to discuss the executive order of President Duterte on the nationwide smoking ban.
“We will discuss how we can further strengthen our ordinance (on anti-smoking) and the implementation of the EO,” said Garingalao.
Curiously, the President’s Executive Order No. 26 allows designated smoking areas or DSAs. These are areas in buildings or conveyances where smoking may be allowed, “which may be in an open space or separate area with proper ventilation.”
Under the EO, the following are areas where smoking is not allowed, thus no DSA should b e established in them:
* youth activity centers such as playschools, preparatory schools, elementary schools, high schools, colleges and universities, youth hostels, and recreational facilities for minors
* elevators and stairwells
* locations where fire hazards are present
* within premises of public and private hospitals, as well as medical, dental, and optical clinics
* food preparation areas. (Iloilo City PIO/PN)
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