Davao City celebrates 13th year of anti-smoking ordinance

DAVAO CITY- The Davao City Anti Smoking Task Force will celebrate the 13^th anniversary of the effectivity of the City Ordinance 0367 or the Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance with a drive to remove illegal tobacco marketing collaterals.

Domilyn Villareiz M.D. head of the anti-smoking task force said a simple ceremony will be held tomorrow May 29 at the Bankerohan Public Market and after the program they will be going around the public market to take down illegal tobacco advertisements.

As per the provisions of Republic Act 9211, only small posters and leaflets are allowed inside of the stores selling tobacco products. And large signage or posters posted outside of the premises are not allowed and according to Villareiz will be taken down. These include signages bearing the name of the stores which also shows the  tobacco product.

Violators which are storeowners will be meted P5,000 as penalty for installing illegal tobacco advertisements.

Meanwhile Villareiz said that they apprehended and given citation to 2,000 anti-smoking ordinance in the first quarter of 2015 (January to April). In 2014, about 4,000 citation were given to violators.

Villareiz said the first quarter of the year is the “peak” season for violators.  It wanes down during December.

She said despite 13 years of strict implementation there are still a huge number of violators being caught.

She attributes it to a growing number of smokers. Among the major causes of smoking include peer pressure, curiosity and work-related stress.

Villareiz added that Business Process Outsourcing centers also contribute to the increase in violators since many of the employees like call center agents smoke outside designated areas thinking that there are no anti-smoking enforcers during night time. (PIA/RG Alama)