Community urged to help spread info on anti-smoking ordinance

BACOLOD City Councilor Caesar Distrito urged the barangay officials, school officials, police officers and private sectors to help in disseminating information in the implementation of Anti-Smoking Ordinance.

Distrito, author of the Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance of Bacolod and co-chairman of Bacolod City Anti-Smoking Task Force, said Friday, February 1, they need the cooperation of the various sectors to remind the citizens that smoking is prohibited in covered public places.

He said for the month of January, about 20 violators have been apprehended.

They were fined P500 for the first offense.

For the second offense, violators will pay P1,000 and P2,500, for the third offense.

“We are continuing this operation to penalize the violators and to protect the health of our citizens, who are non-smokers,” Distrito said.

He said members of the task force, which is composed of 15 personnel, were roaming in various areas every day.

“This a continued effort, but we cannot expect our task force to be in all places at the same time,” he added.

The task force is also monitoring the business establishments on their compliance of smoking area.

Distrito said the business establishment should put up their own designated smoking areas to avoid violations and penalties.

He said the business establishment owners allowing their customers to smoke in a non-designated smoking area will be fined.

“If they have no smoking area, the establishment is considered a non-smoking area, that’s the policy,” Distrito said.

The penalty is P3,000 for the first offense; P4,000 for the second offense; and P5,000 and possible closure for the third offense.

Violators can pay their penalties in payment centers at the Bacolod Government Center, Bacolod Traffic Authority Office, and City Health Office compound.

“We are asking the cooperation of everyone and also to respect the rights of others, we should follow the law,” Distrito said.

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