The city government said it started on Monday a "soft" implementation of Ordinance 413, with an information drive of the no-smoking policy that will last until World No-Tobacco Day on May 31.
"Records from the City Health Office show that smoking is one of the major causes of death in the city for several years now," it said on its Facebook page.
Ordinance 413, enacted in June 2013, prohibits smoking in centers of youth activity such as:
- playschools
- preparatory schools
- elementary schools
- high schools
- colleges and universities
- youth hostels
- recreational facilities for persons under 18 years old
- elevators and stairwells
- fire hazard locations such as gas stations and storage areas for flammable liquids, gas, explosives or combustible materials
- within buildings and premises of public and private hospitals, medical, dental and optical clinics, health centers, nursing homes, dispensaries and laboratories
- public conveyance and public facilities including airport and ship terminals, train and bus stations, restaurants and conference halls except for separate smoking areas and food preparation areas.
But the ordinance also provides for the designation of a smoking area in all enclosed places that are open to the general public, private work places and other places where smoking may expose a person to the other than the smoker.
Penalties
Smokers face a penalty of P500 or one-day community service for the first offense; P1,000 or two days' community service for the second offense; P2,000 or three days' community service for the third offense; and P5,000 without prejudice to the filing of any criminal case or at the discretion of the Court for fourth and subsequent offenses.
Establishments that allow smokers to smoke even in “no smoking” areas face a fine of P1,000 for the first offense; P2,000 for the second offense; P3,000 for the third offense and P5,000 for the fourth offense - along with the revocation or cancellation of their business permits.
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