Sale of tobacco products banned in Poro

Owing to health risks, the selling of cigarettes and electronic cigarettes is now prohibited in "certain places" in the Municipality of Poro on Camotes Island, northern Cebu.

Last February 17, the Cebu Provincial Board approved, through the Committee on Public Health and Social Services, the prohibition on the distribution and advertisement of cigarettes, other tobacco products and electronic cigarettes in the town.

However, the committee report did not specify the areas covered by the ban.

This effort from the part of the local government unit of Poro was reportedly made to instill “health consciousness” in the residents of the municipality.

"The foregoing Ordinance from the

Municipality of Poro, Cebu is indeed an express declaration of the specific endeavor of the concerned Municipality to protect the public against the pernicious and deleterious effects of smoking most especially if done in public places," the committee report read.

Health officials batted for a total ban on electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) products after announcing the first probable e-cigarette and vape-caused lung injury (EVALI) case in the country in November 2019.

Based on the 2018 National Nutrition Survey, 20 percent of e-cigarette users in the Philippines are aged 10 to 19 years. This is three times higher than the proportion of youths smoking traditional cigarettes.

A fine awaits any violators of the said ordinance.

The prohibition report was signed by Cebu Fourth District Board Member Kerrie Keane Shimura, the committee chairperson.

It was also co-signed by Second District Board Member Edsel Galeos and 1st District Board Member Yolanda Daan.