Shame campaign mulled vs slack enforcement of smoking ban

The Department of Health (DOH) may conduct a name-and-shame campaign against local government units (LGUs) that fail to enforce an executive order prohibiting smoking in public places.

Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said the agency had conducted a similar campaign in a bid to reduce incidents of firecracker-related injuries.

“We named the top LGUs with the highest number of firecracker-related injuries and it reduced the number of incidents,” Ubial said in a press conference at Malacañang yesterday.

“We are ready to explore the idea of naming and shaming the LGUs that do not comply and reward those that have fully implemented smokefree environments,” she said.

The smoking ban is contained in EO 26 signed by President Duterte last May.

The order prohibits smoking in enclosed public places and public utility vehicles and selling of tobacco products to minors.

It also prevents minors from smoking, selling and buying cigarettes and other tobacco products.

Selling or distributing tobacco in schools, public playgrounds and other areas frequented by minors is also not allowed.

Duterte ordered the creation of a smoke-free task force in all cities and municipalities to help implement the EO, which will take effect starting July 22.

Ubial said that establishments that put up indoor smoking areas might encounter difficulty in complying with the order.

“So we’re advising establishments to actually, hopefully, just establish outdoor designated smoking areas because it’s easier to comply with that,” she said.

Ubial said individuals who violate the order would be fined from P500 to P10,000 depending on the number of offenses.

Owners of establishments who do not comply will be fined P5,000 or jailed.

Ubial said 48 countries, including the Philippines have smoke-free policies.