SEVEN passengers were arrested by personnel of Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) for smoking inside jeepneys at the downtown area on Tuesday, July 25.
Superintendent Luisito Acebuche, head of BTAO, on Wednesday said the smoking ban violators were fined P500 for first offense, and were given citation tickets to pay their fines within 72 hours.
Acebuche said some of the violators argued that they are not aware of the smoking ban, and don’t have money to pay for the penalty.
“However, ignorance of the law excuses no one and they should pay the penalties. If they fail to pay within 72 hours, charges will be filed against them for violation of City Ordinance 641,” Acebuche added.
The nationwide smoking ban was enforced starting July 22, but the City Government is already implementing the City Ordinance 641, Series of 2013, which regulates smoking in public places, including public conveyances, and advertisements, promotions, and sponsorships of tobacco products.
Acebuche said they are concentrating on jeepney violators, and all the traffic enforcers were tasked to arrest the erring passengers as well as the drivers.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia had earlier issued an executive order for the reactivation of Bacolod Anti-Smoking Task Force.
Councilor Caesar Distrito, co-chairman of the task force, earlier said the task force will concentrate on the information and education campaign, and on the implementation or execution of the smoking ban.
Violators will be fined P500 for first offense, P1,000 for second offense, and P2,500 or imprisonment for third offense.
Smoking is absolutely prohibited in the places like the centers of youth activity such as playschools, from preparatory to colleges and universities, youth hotels and recreational facilities for persons under 18 years old, elevators and stairwells, locations in which fire hazards are present, including gas stations and storage areas for flammable liquids, gas, explosives or combustible materials.
It is also prohibited within the buildings and premises of public and private hospitals, medical, dental, and optical clinic, health centers, nursing homes, dispensaries, and laboratories. Also included are food preparation areas which shall mean those areas where the food or beverage is actually being manufactured or prepared, and public utility vehicles.
Except if there is a designated smoking area, smoking is prohibited in public facilities, including airport and ship terminals and train and bus stations, restaurants, conference halls, movie houses, government buildings, places of worships, and all buildings or enclosed public places.