STUDENTS in several daycare centers in Iloilo City are encouraged to tell their elders not to buy cigarettes anymore as cigarette smoking is harmful to the human body.
Iñigo Garingalao, executive director of the Iloilo City Anti-Smoking Task Force (Icast), said they have observed the strategy is effective, because the kids’ elders tend not to send them to buy cigarettes anymore in sari-sari stores.
Icast has tapped children in day care centers to join the anti-smoking program by telling their fathers and brothers not to smoke anymore.
The task force also acknowledged the help of 180 village chiefs in eradicating smoking in their areas.
Garingalao said the city also aims to become a Red Orchid awardee this year with initiatives from the City Council through the passage of regulation ordinances aimed to make the city a totally smoke-free city.
The City Council earlier passed Regulation Ordinance 2013-348 by amending Regulation Ordinance 2006-150 known as an ordinance providing for a comprehensive anti-smoking ordinance in the city.
Garingalao said other city initiatives include the enactment of two regulation ordinances, an ordinance amending Regulation Ordinance 2001-192 or an ordinance banning the sale of cigars and cigarettes to minors in the city, and an ordinance requiring license to sell or dispense cigarette and tobacco products in the city.
Councilor Joshua Alim, chairman of Icast, said the ordinance requiring license to sell cigarettes is different from the regular business permit and is expected to regulate the selling of tobacco products in the city. The license is also non-transferable.
Another upcoming measure is an ordinance strengthening the provisions of RA 9211 or advertisements and displays of cigarettes and other tobacco products and the prohibition of tobacco advertising promotions.