TAGUM CITY, Philippines—The city government of Tagum has strengthened its anti-smoking campaign in a bid to regulate the selling of tobacco products in public.
In a City Information Office dispatch on Wednesday, the city’s anti-smoking Task Force apprehended a total of 129 violators in the previous months.
In 2015, City Ordinance No. 703 was passed to regulate the use and sale of cigarettes and other related products here in accordance with the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003.
From January to March this year, eight stores and 121 individuals were caught violating the ordinance by either using or selling cigarettes in prohibited places. Of the 121 arrested persons, 24 were non-residents of Tagum City and all violators were fined based on the degree of offense committed.
The city’s Anti-Smoking Task Force conducted surprise inspections to stores and establishments, and series of patrolling to major areas and thoroughfares of the city along with massive information dissemination to ensure full-compliance of the local smoking ban, according to CIO.
It is unlawful to smoke in schools and public buildings, terminals, restaurant and food chains, internet cafes, parks, cemeteries, gasoline and LPG stations, hospitals and clinics, sidewalks and city streets, among others, based on city’s local anti-smoking ordinance.
In 2016, Tagum was a recipient of Department of Health’s Red Orchid Award for its massive and comprehensive efforts to implement a 100
percent Tobacco-Free Environment and for complying the MPOWER Initiatives of the World Health Organization in enforcing its smoking ordinance. (davaotoday.com)
