VICE Mayor Rodrigo Duterte expressed support to the city's Anti-Smoking Task Force (ASTF) target of 100 percent smoke-free establishments.
ASTF co-chair Dr. Domilyn Villariez in earlier statement said she is drafting a resolution that will totally prohibit smoking in all establishments here, and would stop allowing the construction of smoking rooms inside establishments.
Duterte on Tuesday agreed to the ASTF's decision, saying he believes having a smoking room inside establishments would still harm the people's health.
"There would still be a leak somewhere (wherein the) nicotine can go inside and around the building," Duterte said in an interview.
"If (we) really want to protect everybody there inside the establishment then (we) have to totally ban smoking inside the building or use of a smoking area," Duterte said.
Villareiz said earlier they are basing the resolution on World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) as the country is among the signatories of that treaty.
"The Philippines, being one of the 168-member party signatory to the treaty, should comply to the said international agreement," Villareiz added.
The local ordinance will amend provisions of the current Anti-Smoking Ordinance that prohibits smoking in public areas and requires permits for private establishments to be able to create smoking rooms.
Villareiz said the ASTF will also be pushing for the prohibition of smoking in private establishments. (JCZ)