Vape bars crackdown soon

THE Davao City AntiSmoking Regulation Unit has recorded 6,483 smoking apprehensions from April 12 to May 20. This developed as the unit intends to crack down soon on vape bars that have started to proliferate in the city.

Retired Captain Voltaire Engracia during the Pulong-Pulong ni Pulong media forum held yesterday at the Councilor’s Lounge said that there is an increased number of apprehension in more than one month.

“That is barely one month so that is how we strongly apprehend. But there are still more, so my message is that: do not be negative on this because we are doing it gradually, and we understand that this is a health problem,” Engracia said.

Davao City Councilor Mary Joselle Villafuerte who is also present in yesterday’s forum said that smoking cessation programs which is more on counseling is in place within the city.

Villafuerte said that the best way is always quitting “cold turkey”. This means stopping immediately, instead of just gradually reducing one’s intake.

The use of e-cigarettes is also discouraged as these still contain nicotine.

Villafuerte said that there is still no Implementing Rules and Regulations yet of the recently signed Exective Order in the anti-smoking ban,

but they are hopeful that the 15-year ordinance of the city will become the template of the IRR which hopefully will be released on the May 31st.

Engracia said that city ordinance 06-37 includes the prohibition of the ecigarettes, especially in establishments.

He said they are also ready to raid vaping bars that have proliferated within the city.

“Actually what happens to me nagbibigay sa akin ng information na ganoon, I will inform the police and I will go there,” he said.

Engracia, aside from being the head of Anti-Smoking Unit, he also currently sits as the vice chairman of the Vice regulation units which also apprehends not just cigarette but establishments selling liquor.

Engracia believes that the participation of barangay officials for the implementation of the ordinance is the key for the proper implementation of the ordinance

He said that they have deputized barangay inspectors, and he makes sure that he can contact each personnel one by one. KVC

SNIPER IT AIN’T EASY. Dismay is written on the face of a member of the Davao City Police Auxiliary on the first day of work at R. Magsaysay Avenue yesterday as he came to realize that the streets are full of stubborn drivers. More than 900 police auxiliary...