THE City Government of Bacolod reactivated the Bacolod Anti-Smoking Task Force, as the nationwide smoking ban was enforced starting July 22.
Councilor Caesar Distrito, co-chairman of the task force, said Monday, July 24, that Mayor Evelio Leonardia issued the executive order for the reactivation last week.
"We are ready to implement the smoking ban in Bacolod," he said.
Secretary to the Mayor Edward Joseph Cuansing is the chairman of the task force. Its members include Councilor Em Ang, representatives of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO), City Health Office, Permits and Licensing Division, City Administrator's Office, City Legal Office (CLO), and City Treasurer's Office.
Distrito said the task force will concentrate on the information and education campaign, and on the implementation or execution of the smoking ban.
He said the BCPO, BTAO, CLO and the barangays will arrest violators.
In 2013, the City Government created the task force for the implementation of City Ordinance 641, Series of 2013, which regulates smoking in public places, including public conveyances, and advertisements, promotions, and sponsorships of tobacco products.
Distrito said violators will be fined P500 for first offense, P1,000 for second offense, and P2,500 or face imprisonment for third offense.
He said business establishments will also be fined P1,000 to P5,000 or revocation of their business permit if they sell cigarettes to the minors or fail to provide the appropriate designated smoking areas.
Distrito said it is prohibited to smoke in the building with no designated smoking areas such as schools, plaza, hospitals, laboratories, clinics, food and beverages factories, public utility vehicles, and malls.