Special court to try violators of smoking ban?

DAVAO CITY – Talk about a "smoking court."

The proposal to create a special court that would solely try violators of the city’s Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance has gained support from various local sectors.

The ordinance, which took effect last Nov. 9, prohibits smoking in public utility vehicles and in public places, particularly in government offices and commercial establishments, including bars, restaurants and hotels, except in designated smoking rooms.

Judge Antonina Escovilla, head of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities, has herself expressed support for the proposal, saying such a special court to handle violations of the ordinance would not contribute to the already heavy workload of existing courts.

Violators of the smoking ban face a fine of P1,000 or one-month imprisonment for the first offense, and up to a P4,000 fine or four months in jail for the third offense.

There have reportedly been several arrests since the ordinance took effect.

The creation of such a special court, however, reportedly requires congressional approval. The city government, Escovilla said, has to request a congressman to sponsor a bill creating the special court.

The ordinance requires commercial establishments to secure a certification of being either "smoke-free" or "smoke-regulated." Smoke-regulated establishments have to provide smoking rooms.