THE City Government of Davao collected a total of P2,379,000 from anti-smoking and liquor ban violations apprehension from January to July 2018.

Since the implementation of the new anti-smoking ordinance in 2013, Dr. Ashley Lopez, chief of Anti-smoking Task Force-Davao, said in July to September 2018 alone, there were 2,194 apprehensions, where 70 to 80 percent of those went through counseling and 331 were filed with cases.

“The ordinance on anti-smoking in Davao City does not only apply to locals. Foreigners staying in the city and caught violating the law, particularly on smoking and liquor ban will be subject to penalties and deportation when proven guilty,” Lopez said.

She further said that they are intensifying their educational campaigns against smoking while emphasizing that nicotine-dependents are not criminals.

“They are victims and they needed help,” Lopez said during the i-Speak media forum yesterday, October 11, 2018, adding that chronic smokers are those who smoke one or two cigarette packs a day.

“Pag ing-ana na ang sitwasyon sa tao, kinahanglan na gyud na siya ug tabang to overcome especially withdrawal symptoms (If the person gets addicted to smoking, that person already needed help to overcome especially the withdrawal symptoms),” she said.

The group said that they are making initiatives to help the nicotine-dependents not only through apprehensions but educating the public as well.

Some initiatives are smoking cessation counseling, nicotine-replacement therapy, lectures and forums on ill effects of smoking, among others.

“It is very difficult to counter something that has been there for a long time,” she said, referring to vices such as smoking.

She, however, assured that the city is doing its best in helping these nicotine-dependents by educating them about the harms the cigarette could bring to their bodies.