BACOLOD CITY — The City of Victorias launched on Friday an ordinance banning smoking in public places aimed at making the city smoke-free.
Ordinance No. 10-2017 or the Comprehensive Smoking-Free Ordinance of Victorias City, prohibits the use, sale, distribution and advertisement of cigarettes and other tobacco products and electronic cigarettes in certain places.
It was approved by the City Council in August this year.
Victorias is the second city in Negros Occidental that launched its anti-smoking ordinance this month, next to Bago City on November 5.
The launching rites held at the Victorias public plaza was led by Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca, a former smoker of 20 years, who discussed the hazards of smoking.
The mayor, who also lauded President Rodrigo Duterte’s order banning smoking in public places, urged residents to serve “citizens watch” to assist the city government in apprehending violators along with the police.
Violators will pay PHP500 for the first offense; PHP800 for the second offense; and PHP1,000 for the third and subsequent offenses, or imprisonment for a period not exceeding five days or both at the discretion of the court.
Moreover, violators selling, advertising and promoting smoking in banned places will be fined PHP2,000 for the first offense; PHP3,000 for the second offense; and PHP5,000 for the third and subsequent offenses, or imprisonment for a period not exceeding in 20 days or both at the discretion of the court.
In the case of a business entity or establishment, its business permit will be revoked.
In the south, Bago City will fully enforce the Comprehensive Smoke Free Ordinance next week.
Ordinance No. 17-03 “prohibits the use, sale, distribution and advertisement of cigarettes and other tobacco products and electronic cigarettes in certain places, imposing penalties for violations, and providing funds thereof, and for other purposes.” (PNA)
