P3.4 Million anti-smoking fines to be used for the cancer patients

DAVAO CITY, June 1 (PIA) Mayor Rodrigo Duterte revealed that the Expanded Anti-Smoking Ordinance which commemorated its full implementation in May 30 raised a total of P3.2-Million from June 2013 to March 2015.

He mulled of using the funds to support the cancer patients particularly the children at the Southern Phillippines Medical Center.

“I’ll make use of the fines in taking medical care to cancer patients, particularly children,” Duterte said.

The City Anti-Smoking Ordinance have been implemented 13 years ago.

Duterte underscored that 10 Filipinos die due to tobacco-related diseases every hour every day.

He said the Anti-Smoking Ordinance is aimed primarily in promoting public health, by addressing passive smoking that impacts on pregnant women and children.

Duterte also bared that a total of 4,613 violators had been apprehended and fined for smoking in public as of 2014.

The expanded anti-smoking law, or Ordinance No. 0367-12, effectively repeals Ordinance No. 043-02 or The Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance of Davao City approved in 2002 that prohibited smoking in public places, enclosed spaces, buildings and establishments, public motor vehicles and in government facilities.

The new law will ban smoking in all establishments, and smoking areas will be limited to outdoors with the corresponding sign to alert the public. Smoking areas in buildings will be prohibited.

The new law also expanded the prohibition to electronic cigarettes and shisha or waterpipe.

Violators will be fined 1,000 for the first offense, 2,500 for second offense and 5,000 for third and subsequent infractions.  (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)