Watch where you smoke, or prepare to serve

ANYONE caught smoking in places where it’s prohibited in Ginatilan town will be fined P40 or required to give one hour of community service.

The Ginatilan Municipal Council approved an ordinance that regulates the smoking of cigarettes, cigars and pipes in both private and public places.

Members of the council said they decided to approve it after they observed “that smoking is still prevalent and unrestrained within the confines of private and public places or establishments in the municipality” despite national laws against it.

The ordinance is now with the Cebu Provincial Board’s (PB) committee on public safety, peace and order chaired by PB Member Sun Shimura, for review.

Ginatilan Mayor Dean Michael Singco said they want to support the Department of Health’s anti-smoking campaign. Singco said they were also inspired by the anti-smoking ordinances of Davao City and Amlan town in Negros Oriental, who have been model local government units (LGUs) in this campaign.

Smoking is prohibited in educational and learning centers such as campuses, conference and convention halls in schools, libraries, classrooms and museums; centers for youth activities like play schools; and locations where there are hazards including gas stations and storage areas for dried copra.

Smoking is also banned in public facilities, restaurants and conference halls (except for separate smoking areas), stairwells, public and private hospitals, health centers and the like.

If a company adopts a no-smoking policy, a sign must be placed at the entrance of the building to identify it as a “smoke-free establishment.”

“Failure to construct and/or provide a smoking area shall be sufficient ground for the denial of the renewal application of the business permit to operate,” a part of the ordinance read.

Establishments that fail to provide smoking and no-smoking areas and signs will be fined P500 for the first offense, P1,000 for the second offense, and risk the suspension of their business license.

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