DepEd: Sale of cigarettes near schools banned

MANILA, Philippines - The lack of political will among local officials has been hampering efforts to ban the sale of cigarettes near schools, an official of the Department of Education (DepEd) said yesterday.

DepEd Undersecretary Alberto Muyot cited a department memorandum prohibiting smoking and sale of cigarettes not only in school premises, but also within the 100-meter radius zone from the area.

Republic Act 9211 or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003 also provides for such restriction.

Under the law, tobacco products cannot be sold or distributed within 100 meters from the school perimeter, as well as near public playgrounds or any other facility frequented by minors.

Violators face a fine of not less than P500 but not more than P400,000 and 30 days to three years imprisonment.

Business establishments found violating the law would have their permits or licenses canceled.

Muyot said that implementation of the law lies with the local government units (LGUs) that have jurisdiction over the establishment.

He said many local leaders do not have the political will to enforce the ban.

“We are currently working with the LGUs to look into this issue,” Muyot said in a joint press conference of the DepEd, Department of Health (DOH), World Health Organization and Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance.

He urged the LGUs to strictly implement the ban, noting the youth should be protected from the effects of smoking.

This developed as Health Secretary Janette Garin said that there has been a dramatic decrease in smoking among the poor and the youth since the sin tax law was implemented in 2012.

Citing a Social Weather Stations survey conducted during the first quarter 2014, Garin said the percentage rate of smokers in Class E decreased from 38 percent in 2012 to 25 percent in 2014.