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BY MAE SINGUAY
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Monday, January 23, 2017
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A man sells cigarettes in Manila. Bacolod City councilor Em Ang wants individuals and establishments to secure a “special license” to sell tobacco products. REUTERS
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BACOLOD City – Councilor Em Ang proposed an ordinance requiring individuals and establishments to secure a “special license” to sell tobacco products.
All supermarkets, convenience stores, retail stores, bars, and other related business establishments will be covered.
Ang said the measure will protect Bacolodnons “from the inimical effects of smoking and secondhand smoke, and promote the right to health and instill health consciousness among [them].”
She believes there is a need for “a new comprehensive local ordinance that will regulate smoking in public places and conveyances, and the selling of tobacco products in accordance with existing laws.”
In filing the measure, the Sangguniang Panlungsod committee on health chairwoman cited the Philippine Clean Air Act and an Interior department memo enjoining local officials to enact ordinances regulating smoking.
Under Ang’s proposal, any individual or establishment is prohibited from selling cigarette/tobacco products “within the territorial jurisdiction of Bacolod City without license.”
Selling or dispensing of cigarette/tobacco products through vending machines without license is prohibited, too, while authorities must not “knowingly allow, tolerate the prohibited acts as previously enumerated.”
Erring individuals will be fined P500, P1,000 and P3,000 on the first, second and third offenses, respectively.
For business establishments, the penalties are as follows:
* first offense: P2,000 fine plus warning from the Permits and Licensing Division
* second offense: P3,000 fine plus confiscation of products
* third offense: P5,000 fine plus cancellation/revocation of business permit/license to operate./PN
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