By Ma. Teresa Montemayor | Philippine News Agency
MANILA — The Civil Service Commission (CSC) on Tuesday reminded government employees to refrain from smoking in public and even in designated smoking areas.
In a statement, the commission reiterated the mandates of Memorandum Circular No. 17 series of 2009 or the Smoking Prohibition Based on 100% Smoke-Free Policy.
It prohibits smoking in or on the premises, buildings, and grounds of government agencies providing health, education and/or social welfare and development services such as hospitals, health centers, schools, universities and colleges.
It also prohibits smoking in designated smoking areas.
“The Commission is a staunch supporter of tobacco control policies, which aim to eliminate cigarette smoking in the workplace and to prevent tobacco companies from interfering with policy-making in the public sector,” said CSC Chairperson Alicia dela Rosa-Bala.
Bala added that the memorandum circular is part of the country’s efforts to enforce Article 8 of the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which aims to protect the public from the perils of second-hand tobacco smoke.
The commission’s reminder is in line with the celebration of the World No Tobacco Day on May 31, which is the annual campaign on raising public awareness about the harmful and deadly effects of tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure. It also discourages the use of tobacco in any form.
