HOPE is not lost for the New Vios Association of the Philippines (NVAP), after President Duterte reiterated his plan to ban smoking in the country.
NVAP President Emer Rojas said the renewal of Mr. Duterte’s commitment is much awaited by antismoking advocates and cancer survivors since it was first broached during the May 9 elections’ campaign period.
“We have long been waiting for a follow-up on President Duterte’s pronouncement to ban smoking all over the country. Hearing him say it again brings us much comfort, knowing that he is really determined to eliminate the threat of smoking to Filipinos, just like what he did during his time as mayor of Davao City,” Rojas said.
On Monday, Duterte reiterated his plan to ban smoking in the country, saying it only brings diseases to both the smokers and victims of secondhand smoke.
NVAP last month has expressed hope that a comprehensive nationwide smoke-free policy of the Duterte administration will be adopted soon.
Prior to officially assuming his post as President on June 30, President Duterte had already expressed his desire to implement a nationwide “no-smoking” policy.
And in order to achieve a smoke-free Philippines, the NVAP proposed a two-pronged action to reduce the threat of smoking-related illnesses.
Rojas said the war versus smoking can be done by strictly implementing the existing tobacco-control policies, while also pushing for the passage of a law that will limit where smoking may be allowed.
He said that, even without a law, the Executive department may already mobilize law enforcers to go after violators of provisions of Republic Act 9211, or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003, as well as other antismoking policies.
“It is important to let the public know that the President can do a lot right now using existing laws to move toward a ‘smoke-free’ Philippines,” Rojas said.
Under RA 9211, smoking is “absolutely prohibited” in public places, such as schools and universities; elevators and stairwells; public and private hospitals and health centers; airport and ship terminals; train and bus stations; restaurants; and conference halls.
The law also provides the requirement of having designated smoking and non-smoking areas in public places not covered by the smoking ban.
Penalty for violation of the smoking ban ranges from a fine of P500 to P10,000.
On the other hand, the cancer survivor-turned-antismoking advocate, said Mr. Duterte, may seek the help of his allies in Congress for them to take immediate action toward passing a more comprehensive antismoking law.
“To make some provisions clearer in the national law, he can ask Congress to come up with stronger smoke-free laws to simplify the law, much like the way it was done in Davao, where smoking is banned,” Rojas said.
To note, Davao City ordinances versus smoking include prohibiting the puffing of cigarettes, tobacco, shisha (waterpipe), e-cigarettes, or similar devices in public.
It also provides that the open-space smoking areas in the city must have prominent “smoking area” sign displayed, coupled with posters warning of the ill-effects of smoking.