BAGUIO City’s Smoke Free Task Force (SFTF) apprehended a total of 5,259 violators of the Smoke Free Ordinance and collected fines totaling P2.543 million in 2018.
Fewer than half of those apprehended paid fines while the rest were made to do community service.
The consolidated report, based on violation reports from the Baguio City Police Office and Public Order Safety Division (POSD) under the City Mayor’s Office, was presented during the task force’s quarterly meeting Tuesday at the Health Services Office (HSO).
Task force officer Cecile Agpawa said they trained 156 individuals to compose the 16 Community Smoke Free Task Force for the effective and efficient implementation of the Smoke Free Baguio Ordinance.
Agpawa said the group also trained several volunteer lawyers last year to assist in the implementation of the ordinance.
Authored by Councilor Joel Alangsab, the ordinance prohibits the use, sale, distribution and advertisement of cigarettes/e-cigarettes and other tobacco products in certain places, imposing penalties, and providing funds thereof. (PR)