THE Bacolod City Anti-Smoking Task Force urged business establishments to comply with the required designated smoking areas (DSAs) to avoid penalties and closure of business.
Councilor Caesar Distrito, co-chairman of the task force, on Tuesday, August 23, said they have issued guidelines to stores at the downtown area as well as shopping malls, call centers, and public markets on how to set up a DSA within their buildings.
“We are asking them to comply within at least 30 days or else, we will issue citation tickets for their penalties,” he said.
Violators will be fined P3,000 for first offense; P4,000 for second offense; and P5,000 for third offense or closure of the business.
Distrito said the task force discussed with business establishment owners that as long the area is open or without a roof it can be used for smoking, but if it is a closed building, 20 percent of the business establishment should be a DSA.
He said smoking is only allowed in open spaces like sidewalk or roads.
Distrito said most of the business establishments are also cooperative and there are only a few who failed to comply.
The nationwide smoking ban was enforced starting July 22, but the City Government is already implementing the City Ordinance 641, which regulates smoking in public places, including public conveyances, and advertisements, promotions, and sponsorships of tobacco products.
From July to August 20, the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) arrested 23 smoking ban violators in various areas.
Superintendent Luisito Acebuche, head of BTAO, said of the 23 violators, 15 are passengers and eight are drivers.
