Smoking in public places Public supports stiffer penalty

CEBU, Philippines - A proposed ordinance seeking to increase the penalty of smoking in public places seems to have gained an overwhelming support from the public when the measure was presented during a public hearing.

No one appeared to question the proposal in the City Council during the public hearing last Wednesday except for Santiago Tanchan who voiced his strong support for it. Councilor Richard “Ritchie” Osmeña proposed to increase the penalty of smoking in public places to a maximum fine of P5,000.

Tanchan challenged the city officials to ensure the full implementation of the ordinance as soon as it is passed into law. Tanchan made especial mention of the government-owned Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation which has been tolerating smokers inside the casino.

“I will invite all of you to go to Pagcor tonight to personally witness the non-compliance of the law in that public place,” Tanchan told the city councilors.

According to him, one of his friends who used to frequent Pagcor had died of lung cancer. He added that another friend of him who also used to visit the casino is also fighting for his life.

Tanchan said he already called the attention of Pagcor officials about it but he was only told that Pagcor is exempted in the smoking ban.

“There should be no exemption,” he added.

Councilor Nida Cabrera, who chairs the City Council’s Committee on Environment, confirmed Tanchan’s complaint.

Councilor Margarita “Margot” Osmeña has convinced her fellow legislators to visit Pagcor one of these days, not to gamble but for them to personally witness the reported rampant smoking in public places within its premises.

“We will go there but we will not announce,” she said.

Tanchan said he is very much in favor of Osmeña’s proposed ordinance to increase the fines of the anti-smoking ordinance violators. He even suggested to include in the storeowners who sell cigarettes to minors.

Under Osmeña’s proposed ordinance, anybody caught violating it for the first time shall be fined P3,000 then P4,000 for the next violation and P5,000 for the third violation or one year imprisonment or both depending on the discretion of the court.

According to Osmeña, the protection of non-smokers from the pernicious effects of smoke is always the concern of the city officials, but such policy can be obtained only if the present amount of penalties as well as the compromise penalties is increased to the maximum limits provided by law.

The proposed ordinance also prohibits the smoking inside the public utility vehicles and the drivers are required to caution their passengers about the provisions of the ordinance.

The national government had already enacted Republic Act 9211 in 2003 that prohibits the smoking inside public conveyances and also carries much stiffer fines and imprisonment.

Such law also provides that the minors are not allowed to sell or buy cigarettes. Osmeña’s ordinance also seeks to reinforce the provisions of Republic Act 9211 that prohibits the selling of cigarettes within 100 meters from school premises or public playground or other facility frequented by minors. — (FREEMAN)