AT LEAST 216 individuals were collared by authorities during the implementation of La Trinidad Tobacco Control Law from January to December last year.
Of the 216, the La Trinidad Municipal Station said, 194 persons paid fines after they were caught while 22 engaged in community services.
Under the law, smoking in any part of an enclosed public place is prohibited within the jurisdiction of the municipality.
Dubbed as the La Trinidad Tobacco Control Ordinance, the law hopes to safeguard public health and ensure the well being of all the constituents, protecting them from the harmful effects of smoking and tobacco consumption.
A La Trinidad Smoking Control Enforcement Unit was created to ensure the smooth implementation of the ordinance while enforcers and deputies were authorized to issue citation tickets to violators.
LTMPS chief of police Senior Inspector Benson Macli-ing said with the smooth flow of the implementation of the law last year, they have to further monitor the implementation.
La Trinidad is among the municipalities in the region which bagged the red orchid award conceptualized to combat tobacco use and to work for tobacco-free environment.
The red orchid is under the banner of the Department of Health in recognizing various institutions, hospitals and local government agencies in Luzon for implementing the 100 percent free smoke-free environment.
Macli-ing said they have to double their effort to further monitor the valley in reducing violators of the law.
With the information education campaign starting in the schools, continuous information drive by the local police will be done to the different stakeholders, especially tourists entering the municipality.