Zamboanga activates anti-smoking task force

THE newly-created Task Force on Anti-Smoking on Monday began the series of orientation on Ordinance 469 targeting the different sectors in Zamboanga City to ensure wider dissemination of the law.

This, as the City Government formally launched the Anti-smoking campaign with the swearing in of the Task Force and the unveiling of the no-smoking billboard in front of City Hall on Monday morning.

The participants to Monday’s orientation on the provisions of Ordinance 469, the law that regulates smoking in the city, were members of the traffic enforcement team and policemen.

On Tuesday, April 17, the participants to the orientation will be operators of establishment within the business district.

On Wednesday, April 18 the participants are the tricycle operators and on Thursday, April 19, the Public Utility Vehicle operators.

Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar said the information campaign will cover a period of 30 days where information, education and communication materials will be distributed.

Tarpaulins and billboards will also be installed in strategic places to inform the public about the implementation of the ordinance.

Ordinance 469, approved January 2018 and authored by Councilor Myra Abubakar, amends certain provisions of Ordinance 413, series of 2013 entitled an ordinance regulating smoking in the city and providing penalties for violation thereof.

It is intended to safeguard public health and ensure physical well-being of the constituents.