CAPIZ – The provincial government, under the leadership of Gov. Fredenil H. Castro, has approved amendments to its 2017 Smoke-Free Ordinance with the introduction of a more robust Comprehensive Smoke-Free and Vape-Free Ordinance.
The updated ordinance, spearheaded by Provincial Board member Thea Faith Reyes, chairperson of the Board’s committee on health, was formally submitted on June 2, 2025. It is part of the province’s initiative to promote a greener, cleaner, and healthier environment.
The revised ordinance introduces stricter regulations to protect public health, especially the youth — who remain among the most vulnerable to nicotine addiction — from the harmful effects of smoking and vaping.
Under the new rules, the use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vapes, and heated tobacco products is now strictly prohibited in most public spaces, including parks, sidewalks, shopping centers, restaurants, and public transport systems.
The ordinance also regulates designated smoking areas and bans the sale and promotion of tobacco and vape products to individuals under 21 years old, including online transactions. These measures aim to shield children, pregnant women, and persons with health conditions from the dangers of secondhand smoke and aerosol exposure.
Violators will face fines, with all proceeds directed to the Tobacco Control Fund. The fund will support health education initiatives and provide assistance to individuals seeking to quit smoking.
To ensure the ordinance’s effective implementation, a dedicated task force will be created to monitor and enforce compliance across the province.
Present during the event were Provincial Board members Jonathan B. Besa, Trina Marie Ignacio, and Cecilio Fecundo, along with several capitol department heads.
The strengthened ordinance reaffirms Capiz’s commitment to creating a smoke-free and vape-free environment for all its residents./PN
