ALTHOUGH Davao City has an existing anti-smoking ordinance, it still tops the list of areas with the most number of smoking violators, with 10,044 people apprehended after smoking in public places from January to October 2019.
The Police Regional Office (PRO)-Davao Regional Operations Management Division apprehended a total of 16,564 smokers in public places across the region.
Based on its data, Davao City Police Office (DCPO) topped the list with 10,044 apprehensions; Davao Occidental Police Provincial Office (DOCPPO) with 2,422; Davao Oriental PPO with 1,837; Davao del Sur PPO with 858; Davao del Norte PPO with 713; and Compostela Valley PPO with 680.
Davao City's Anti-Smoking Ordinance prohibits smoking in public conveyances, government-owned vehicles, accommodation and entertainment establishments -- such as bars and hotels -- workplaces, enclosed or partially enclosed public places, and public buildings.
"Actually, we have long been implementing the city ordinance on anti-smoking here in Davao City for so many years now and that includes the use of e-cigarette. So, this recent mandate from the President (Rodrigo Duterte) is not that hard for us to enforce," PRO-Davao Director Police Brigadier General Filmore Escobal said.
Earlier, Duterte ordered the banning of vaping and the importation of e-cigarettes and other vaping devices.
PRO-Davao's record further showed that from November 1 to 24, they have apprehended at least 1,072 smokers who violated the ordinance and were given a fine while the minors were just sent to their homes.
On November 21, a unit under DCPO reprimanded a violator vaping at Times Beach, Ecoland, Davao City around 11:30 p.m. The smoker was given a penalty while the e-cigarette device was confiscated from his possession.
"Dabaweños were already adjusted with our law enforcement operations on anti-smoking. Sumusunod naman ang iba. Although hindi maiiwasan na meron pa ring iba na pasaway. Well, hindi rin naman tumitigil ang buong kapulisan ng rehiyon sa pagpapatupad ng batas katuwang ang ating mga local government units," he said.
Escobal, meanwhile, directed all provincial and city directors to observe and comply with the said mandate.
The arrest of violators must be properly documented in police blotters, and the confiscated items must be accounted for and will be disposed of properly.
He said the Executive Order 26 and local ordinances can be used to run after vape users though the Malacanang has yet to issue an order and guidelines on the President's order against the importation, sale, and use of e-cigarettes.