IGACOS enacts anti-smoking ordinance

ISLAND GARDEN CITY OF SAMAL, January 30, 2014 (PIA) - The City government here enforced the City Ordinance No. 2013-223 known as the Comprehensive Anti-Smoking of the Island Garden City of Samal on January 27.

This new ordinance amended the  ordinance no. 2012-216, making it more comprehensive which accordingly adopt the provisions stated in the Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular No. 17 and the Department of Health Administrative Order No. 2009-0010 mandating a 100% Smoke-Free Environment and Smoking Prohibition Policy within areas encompassing government premises.

The  newly declared policy prohibits smoking in eating places such as eateries, carenderias, restaurants, fastfoods, snack bars and bakeshops; accommodation and entertainment establishments such as beach and inland resorts, hotels, inns, lodging and boarding houses, movie theatres, videoke bars, casinos, bars, clubs and restobars;transport services; retail shops and boutiques; medical facilities, religious institutions, schools in all level, gasoline station and other public places and structures. 

However, any person can smoke only in area duly designated by the management as smoking area , within the jurisdiction of Island Garden City of Samal.

In an interview, City Mayor Aniano P. Antalan commended the laudable ordinance  as it promotes and safeguard the health and welfare of our citizens.  “This is a  very good and timely ordinance because tobaccos  now are very expensive, which worsen poverty of poor people and many wealthy and famous   people died of lung cancer  as a result of smoking more so the poor individuals.”

Antalan encouraged healthy lifestyle just as he encouraged city employees to plant and eat chemical-free vegetables, to go into sports  and have regular exercises.  He said the ordinance was timely for authorities to control and abolish smoking so that  our citizens will be happy, strong and physically fit.

Likewise, City Vice Mayor Al David Uy announced the enforcement of the anti-smoking ordinance  during the Monday convocation of the city officials and employees last Monday, January 27, encouraging the employees to follow the city ordinance.

“Ordinansa man kini so  kinahanglan magbantay gyud nga dili ma-violate ang atong anti-smoking ordinance”(This is an ordinance, so let’s make sure that we will not violate our anti-smoking ordinance), City Mayor Al David Uy said.

City Health Officer Dennis Carlos Flores revealed second hand smoke are more dangerous thus he called all smokers to carry out their habit in designated areas and spare the non-smoking people from its deadly effects.   

Flores reiterated the pronouncement made by Vice Mayor Uy during the Monday convocation that is to abide with the law or face the consequences.

The City Health Office and City Engineering Office identified the designated areas in the City Hall for smokers so  as  to protect non-smokers from the pernicious effects of tobacco smoke.

Violators of the ordinance will face the following penalties:  First Offense – Fine of P1,000.00; Second Offense – P2,000.00; Third Offense –Fine of P3,000 or imprisonment for not less than three (3) days but not more than six  (6) days or both, Fourth Offense – fine of Four thousand (P4,000.00) Pesos or imprisonment of not less than three months, but not more than six (6) months or both; Fifth and succeeding Offenses- Maximum penalty of Five thousand (P5,000.00) Pesos or imprisonment of not less than six (6) months but not more than one (1) year or both at the discretion of the court. The city government may order the closure of a public place that violates this ordinance. (Melrose samal cio)