By Dominic B. dela Cruz
Staff Reporter
City of Batac—In support of President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s anti-smoking program, the city government here has totally prohibited tobacco smoking and vaping, or e-cigarettes, in all designated and public places within this city.
The new directive was based on an ordinance approved by the Sangguniang Panlungsod authored by Batac councilor Ramon M. Gaoat.
Mr. Gaoat said the measure was in support of the President’s mandate by virtue of Executive Order No. 26 providing for the establishment of a smoke-free environment on public and enclosed places.
Republic Act No. 8749, or the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999, also prohibits smoking inside enclosed public places including public vehicles and other means of transport, and other enclosed areas directing the LGUs for strict implementation.
As a doctor of medicine by profession, Mr. Gaoat said tobacco smoking and vaping with e-cigarette contains nicotine which is highly addictive and can affect the developing brain and potentially harm teens and young adults.
He added that scientific evidence has unequivocally established that tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke and vaping or the use of e-cigarette cause death, disease disability, devastating health, social, economic and environment, burdens on families, the poor and on national and local health system.
Records show the that increasing number of Filipinos’ death is caused by tobacco related diseases such as stroke, heart disease, emphysema, various cancers and nicotine addiction.
He stressed that the Sangguniang Panlungsod here needs to enact measures essential to the general welfare of the Batacqueños, particularly in the preservation and promotion of good health by protecting them from the harmful effects of smoking ad tobacco consumption, vaping or the use of e-cigarette.
However, Mr. Gaoat noted that identified smoking areas are exempted in public places in this city.
To strictly implement said ordinance, the city government thru the Batac Philippine National Police (PNP) is entitled to apprehend any person or entity with fines of not less P500 but not more than P1,000 for the first offense; not less than P1,000 but not more than P1,500 for the second offense; and not less than P1,500 but not more than P2,000 for the third offense.
