SMOKING in public will be banned in Muntinlupa starting on October 12 in support of President Duterte’s executive order.
Mayor Jaime Fresnedi made this call, and members of the Muntinlupa Smoke-Free Task Force (SFTF) and deputized officers will start apprehending and giving citation tickets with fines to erring individuals.
The city government trained personnel and the safety officers of business establishments to enforce Ordinance 17-072, known as the Comprehensive Smoke Free Ordinance of the City of Muntinlupa. Under this policy, smoking tobacco products and electronic nicotine-delivery systems, such as e-cigarette or e-shisha, are not allowed in places accessible to the public regardless of ownership, workplaces, government facilities and outdoor areas where people gather.
Smoking is permitted only in designated smoking areas compliant with local government unit (LGU) standards.
Those who will be caught smoking in prohibited places will be punished with citation tickets and fined up to P2,500 or eight hours of community service. Violators of sales restriction and the advertising ban will be charged up to P5,000 or 14 hours of community service.
Starting on Thursday next week, deputized officers will roam the city, especially in business parks and transportation terminals, Public Information Officer Tez Navarro said.
She added roads and parks on subdivisions and residential villages are not exempted from the smoking ban. Navarro clarified that retail selling of tobacco products, particularly in streets and sidewalks (takatak), without permit from the LGU is prohibited as per city ordinance.
While penalties shall be in effect on October 12, the SFTF, spearheaded by the City Health Office and Muntinlupa Police, already launched Oplan Sita last month.
Muntinlupa Police chief PSSupt. Dante Novicio said they have given citation tickets without fines to around 400 violators in Oplan Sita.
To report individuals violating the antismoking ordinance, the public may contact the City Health Office at (02)935-6824 or send a message at fb.com/officialmuntinlupacity.