Nationwide smoking ban takes effect July 23
The nationwide ban on smoking will be implemented starting July 23, the Department of Health (DOH) said Friday.
DOH spokesman Eric Tayag explained that Executive Order (EO) No. 26 signed by President Duterte will take effect 60 days after its publication.
“July 22 kasi when we checked, it was published sa Manila Bulletin May
24. The effectivity of the EO is 60 days after publication, not after signing,” Tayag stated.
With the EO to take effect very soon, the public, as well as various establishments were advised to implement the EO starting on the aforementioned date – or risk being among the first offenders that will be penalized.
“Those who won’t be able to comply with the requirements of the ban, you could be the one that will be made as an example offender,” the DOH official warned.
Tayag stressed that it would be better if establishments will put up “No Smoking” signages which are at least 8 x 11 inches, with the symbol occupying 60 percent of the signage.
Establishments were also advised to also display “Designated Smoking Area” (DSA) signage and that they must be accompanied by graphic health warnings (GHW) on the ill-effects of smoking.
Meanwhile, Tayag noted that having the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for EO No. 26 is not necessary for the nationwide smoking ban to take effect.
“Having an IRR is not necessary in implementing the ban. But we still hope to come out with it as soon as possible so that some of the provisions of the EO will become clearer,” he stated.
President Duterte signed on May 16 EO No. 26, otherwise known as “Providing for the Establishment of Smoke-Free Environments in Public and Enclosed Places.”
Among the areas where smoking is strictly prohibited are the centers of youth activity 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; and food preparation areas.
DSA, on the other hand, is defined as an area of a building or conveyance where smoking may be allowed that are open spaces or separate areas with proper ventilation. There cannot be more than one DSA per establishment, according to EO 26.