Ban on smoking, drinking near QC hospitals pushed

MANILA, Philippines - A Quezon City councilor is pushing for a legislation that will penalize vendors of cigarettes and alcoholic products near hospitals and similar establishments in the city.  

Councilor Allan Benedict Reyes has filed a proposed measure that will impose a fine of as much as P5,000 to those who will sell cigarettes and liquors within 100 meters from hospitals and other medical establishments. 

The ordinance also bans smoking and drinking within the said area. 

Under the measure, violators will be fined P500 and P2,000 on the first and second offense, respectively. 

Those who will be caught violating the ban on the third offense will be fined P5,000 and imprisoned from seven days to one month. 

“Despite the existing ban on smoking in hospitals, there are still vendors selling cigarettes near hospitals,” said Reyes. 

“The hazards caused by cigarette smoking not only among users but also to those who inhale second-hand smoke is already public knowledge. But smoking in public places is yet to be curbed or at least minimized,” he added. 

The councilor said passing the proposed ordinance is in line with the Quezon City government’s support for the Tobacco Regulation Act. 

Reyes said signages informing the public of the ban would be placed in medical establishments once the proposed measure is approved by the city council and enacted into law by Mayor Herbert Bautista.

The city’s Department of Public Order and Safety, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and barangay officials will be tasked to implement the ban.