City hard up in no smoking ban

THE NATIONWIDE ban on smoking in public places is finding difficulty in terms of implementation in Baguio City.

This following the continuous monitoring of the city health office of establishments who have complied with some of the requirements under President Rodrigo Duterte's Executive Order 26.

Dra. Donnabelle Tubera of the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit said there are 10,000 establishments in the city to be under the category of public places with 100 already monitored but failed to comply with the requirements of the law.

EO 26 have set strict guidelines on designated smoking areas and bans them altogether in schools, including universities, and recreational facilities for minors.

"Designated smoking areas is defined as an area of a building or conveyance where smoking may be allowed, which may be in an open space or separate area with proper ventilation," Tubera explained.

The EO also specifies that a "non-smoking buffer zone" be established for DSA's not located in open spaces

must be between the door of the DSA and the rest of the building.

Tubera pointed out due to the specifics of the Executive Order, establishment have difficult time in complying with EO due to the expenses needed in building specific buffer zones and others as prescribed by the EO.

The EO explicitly pointed out no part of the buffer zone will allow air to escape to the smoke-free area except for a single door with an automatic door closer.

"A building or conveyance can have only one DSA, while minors are prohibited from entering the DSA or its buffer zone," Tubera added.

The EO lists 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 clinic, and food preparation areas where smoking is not allowed providing the absence DSA's.

Photo by Milo Brioso UNVEILING. City official and Baguio flower festival foundation led by Chairman for life Mauricio Domogan unveils the Panagbenga 2018 marker at Baguio City hall grounds.