19 May Duterte signs EO on Nationwide Smoking Ban
Source: ABS-CBN News
President Rodrigo Duterte has officially signed an executive order that prohibits smoking in public places nationwide.
In an article from ABS-CBN news, it was disclosed that President Duterte has signed the executive order last May 16, 2017.
Executive Order No. 26
EO No. 26 also known as Providing for the Establishment of Smoke-Free Environments in Public and Enclosed Places. An order that protects public health and promotes measures of tobacco control.
This is to guarantee the right of every citizen to breathe clean air provided by the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 (RA No.8749) which prohibits smoking inside enclosed public places including public vehicles and other means of transport, as well as enclosed areas.
PROHIBITED ACTS
The executive order obviously bans smoking in public area but aside from that, listed are the other prohibited acts as per the executive order:
(1) prohibits “persons-in-charge” to tolerate smoking in public places thus ‘persons-in-charge are obliged to implement and enforce the executive order within the area of which he/she is in charge
(2) prohibits selling, distributing or purchasing tobacco products to and from minors
(3) prohibits ordering, instructing or compelling a minor to use, light up, buy, sell, distribute, deliver, advertise or promote tobacco products
(4) placing tobacco advertisements within 100 meters from schools, public playground and other facilities attended by minors is not allowed
On the other hand, just like how the smoking ban is strongly implemented in Davao City, there are spots that will be considered as designated smoking area (DSA).
Standards for DSA
Designated smoking areas should either be an open space or a separated area with proper ventilation.
If DSA is inside an enclosed space,
(1) there shall be no opening that would allow air to escape into a smoke-free area
(2) should have a non-smoking buffer zone
(3) shall be 10 meters away from entrances, exits or any place where people pass
(4) a building should not have more that one DSA
(5) a DSA should bear proper signage and lastly
(6) minors are prohibited from DSAs.
However, as per the executive order establishments like schools, hospitals, clinics, food preparation areas and fire hazardous locations are prohibited from having DSAs.
Those who fail to act in accordance with the order shall be punished with applicable penalties under the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003 (RA 9211).
No Comments