Higher penalty

• VRU: Smokers keep violating due to low fines ANTI-SMOKING advocates in the city are reviving the proposal to increase the penalty imposed on violators of the Anti-Smoking Ordinance.

City councilors passed on first reading during the regular session on Tuesday the proposal after it lapsed in the previous city council.

The Vices Regulation Unit (VRU), chaired by Dr. Ashley Lopez, forwarded a resolution to the City Council last April 8 to amend the New Comprehensive

Anti-smoking Ordinance of the City.

The VRU has proposed amendments to Section 9, which stipulates higher penalties, and Section 15, which stipulates the nocontest provision of the aforementioned ordinance.

Based on the existing ordinance, penalties are P1,000 (first offense) P2,500 (second offense), and P5,000 (third offense).

The VRU suggested to increase the penalty to P2,000 (first offense), P3,000 (second offense), and P5,000 (third offense).

For the no-contest provision, the VRU proposed to increase the fine from P500 to P1,000.

“The reason that we want to impose higher fines is that most offenders are repetitive violators because our existing fines are affordable. Even students can afford to pay P500,” Lopez said.

“In order to further discourage smoking in Davao City, there is a need to increase the penalties provided,” Lopez added.

City Ordinance 036712 series of 2012, otherwise known as the New Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance, prohibits smoking of any tobacco product including e-cigarettes, shishas and the like, in all accommodation and entertainment establishments, workplaces, enclosed public places, partially enclosed public places, public buildings, public outdoor spaces and all public conveyances, governmentowned vehicles and other means of public transport within the territorial jurisdiction of Davao City.