MAYOR Emmanuel Aranda of Binalbagan, Negros Occidental said the smoking ban is being strictly enforced in their town and they have put up designated smoking areas (DSA) outside the town proper.
The DSA is located at the bridge of Barangay San Jose, which is two kilometers from the Poblacion.
“If they really want to smoke, they can do it inside their respective homes aside from the DSA,” Aranda said, citing the bad effects of smoking to a person’s health.
President Rodrigo Dutertes signed Executive Order (EO) 26 banning smoking in public places nationwide.
The nationwide smoking ban took on July 22
It was on May 16 when Duterte signed EO 26, wherein smoking will be strictly prohibited in all public and enclosed places nationwide.
Among the areas where smoking is strictly prohibited are in centers of youth activity, like play schools, preparatory schools, elementary schools, high schools, colleges and universities, youth hostels, and recreational facilities for minors; elevators and stairwells; locations where fire hazards are present; within premises of public and private hospitals, as well as medical, dental, and optical clinics; and food preparation areas.
DSAs are defined as an area of a building or conveyance, where smoking may be allowed, that are open spaces or separate areas with proper ventilation; there cannot be more than one DSA per establishment.
