New smoking ban takes effect today
SMOKERS, beware. Starting today, smoking is only allowed in one’s residences, private vehicles and outdoor designated places.
Smoking outside of these areas is a violation of the New Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance of Davao City, which will be enforced starting today.
Anti-Smoking Task Force of Davao City head Dr. Domilyn C. Villareiz reiterated that smokers must be aware of the places where they are allowed to smoke or face penalties.
The new ordinance prohibits smoking in public conveyances, government-owned vehicles, accommodation and entertainment establishments, workplaces, enclosed or partially enclosed public
places, public buildings and public outdoor spaces including cemetery, markets, and terminals.
People are also not allowed to smoke in public gatherings such as concerts, rallies, parades and other gatherings.
Villareiz said it is even prohibited to smoke 10 meters away from entrance and exit of establishments, and where people pass.
“Excited na atong mga kapulisan nga manakop (Our policemen are now excited to make arrest),” Villareiz said.
She said a pad of violation citation ticket per station has already been distributed to police authorities for the implementation of the new ordinance.
“Gusto nila daghanon gyud ug hatag sa ila pero mao pa gyud na atong mahatag sa karon eh (They want us to give more but that’s what we can give for now),” Villareiz said.
Sr. Supt. Ronald dela Rosa, Davao City Police Office (DCPO) chief, said all station commanders have already done their part in orienting their troops about the implementation of the new ordinance.
“Pirmanente man ta ready. Ang mga smokers dapat mag ready na pud kay dakpon na gyud sila kung mag sigarilyo sa lugar na bawal (We are alwayd ready. It’s the smokers who must be ready because we will really arrest them if they smoke in prohibited places),” he said.
The DCPO chief also reminded police officers to abide by the policy or face an administrative case.
First time violators will be given a citation ticket by the arresting police officer. A violator will have to attend smoking cessation counseling and pay the administrative penalty of P500 before giving the citation back to the arresting police officer.
Penalties for subsequent violators have been increased, with fines ranging from P1,000 to P5,000, while the length of imprisonment also increased with one month as the minimum and four months maximum depending on the gravity of the offense.
Establishments that have put up outdoor smoking areas will also face the same penalties if they fail to comply with the provisions of the said ordinance.
Villareiz said the new ordinance is not “stricter” than the previous one rather it serves as the “clearer” version.
“Giklaro lang nato diri ang mga lugar nga bawal na mag smoke ka yang old ordinance wala naka indicate ug tarung kung asa gyud ang bawal. Basically, the same lang gud gihapon but this one is clearer than the old,” she said.
Villareiz added that what also makes the new ordinance different from the previous one is that it has “no contest provision,” meaning citation tickets are given to violators and serves as warning for them.
Meanwhile, a total of 10 business establishments in the city have already applied for a permit to set up an outdoor smoking area.
Most of these are accommodation and entertainment establishments. ANC