• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod is urging the City Legal Office enforcement unit and the Anti-Smoking Task Force to intensify the implementation of the anti-smoking ordinances.
Councilor Em Ang, who authored the resolution approved by the SP during its regular session Oct. 3, stressed the need to intensify the campaign to “significantly reduce the exposure and health risk of the general public to inhaled tobacco products”.
“It is well established scientifically that secondhand exposure to inhaled tobacco products causes serious adverse health complications, death, and disability,” hence the need for the intensified enforcement of City Ordinance (CO) 962, which prohibits e-cigarettes in certain places, and CO 641, which regulates smoking in public places, including public utility vehicles, and the advertisements, promotions, and sponsorships of tobacco products, Ang said.
CO 962, passed on Sept. 22, 2021, prohibits e-cigarette smoking in public utility vehicles, government-owned vehicles, or any other means of public transport for passengers; accommodation and entertainment establishment; public building and public place; and enclosed public places.
Violators will be fined P2,000 for the first offense, P5,000 – second offense, and P10,000 for succeeding offenses, or imprisonment not exceeding three months, or both.
CO 641, passed by the SP on April 23, 2013, penalizes first-time offender with a P500 fines, P1,000 for the second offense, and P2,500 or 30-day imprisonment, or both, for third and subsequent offenses. | CGC
