POLICE officers and police stations which apprehended the most number of smokers and the establishments which observe 100% no smoking are set to get recognition Thursday, May 31, in line with the anniversary of the anti-smoking campaign of Davao City.
In line with the 16th anniversary of the anti-smoking campaign of the city, and in observance of the World No Tobacco Day, the Davao City Vice Regulation Unit in partnership with Barangay Anti-Smoking Team and the Philippine National Police will hand in citations to the stakeholders who made their intensified campaign against smoking possible.
Office-in-charge of the VRU and Anti-Smoking Task Force co-chair Ashley Lopez in a phone interview with Sun.Star Davao Wednesday said that over the years the city has strengthened its campaign against smoking and this was even more intensified with the passing of the amendments to the smoking ordinance last 2012, wherein even e-cigarettes and vapes are prohibited in designated non-smoking areas.
Lopez said that this year, from January to April alone, they received reports that the number of violators has exceeded 3,000 which was the number equivalent to whole year apprehensions in the previous years.
“It can mean intensified campaign for our anti-smoking as ordered by Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio,” he said, adding that smoking can really cause no good in the lives of people.
Lopez said that the higher concern lies on the effect of second hand smoke, which may cause cough, bronchitis and asthma to children, and it is also bad for pregnant women.
While the strengthened anti-smoking campaign is in place, the recent amendments to the anti-smoking ordinance or City Ordinance 0367-12, gives the first hand smokers a “No Contest Provision” which means that those who have been apprehended can pay the citation ticket worth P500 to the City Treasurer’s Office (CTO), and go to the district health centers to avail of the Smoking Cessation counseling.
“The first timers are given the chance to redeem themselves and they are advised to quit smoking during the counseling,” Lopez said.
These smoking cessation counseling can also be availed in Adventist Hospital, Davao City Chest Center, Department of Health.
He or she must present her/his official receipt upon payment of penalties for the citation ticket, the citation ticket, and the proof that he/she had undergone the smoking cessation counseling three days after the apprehension or else, they will be filed official charges before the court.
Based on the ordinance, a person caught smoking must face maximum penalty of P5,000 with or without imprisonment.
The awarding of citations will be held at Rizal Park, after the motorcade which will start at 9 a.m. from Victoria Plaza up to Rizal Park.