BUSINESS establishments in Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City, will set up designated smoking areas as the nationwide smoking ban takes effect today, July 22.
Hotel and Restaurant Association of Negros Occidental (Hrano) director Roberto Magalona said they are supporting the smoking ban as he assured the public they will help enforce the executive order (EO) in their respective establishments.
He added that restaurants and establishments will have a place for smokers.
Magalona also enjoined the public to follow the law.
May Castro, SM City Bacolod public relations manager, said the management sent a memorandum to its tenants to comply with the smoking ban.
She said a designated smoking area will be set up outside the mall.
“Eversince, smoking is not allowed inside the mall. But starting today, they can’t smoke anywhere except in the designated area,” she said.
In Bacolod, officials directed the Bacolod City Police Office, Bacolod Traffic Authority Office, and barangay officials to enforce the nationwide smoking ban.
Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran said yesterday policemen and traffic enforcers should monitor violators especially in public places and public utility jeepney vehicles.
He said law enforcement agencies should also help in information dissemination to remind the public of smoking ban.
Councilor Caesar Distrito said barangay officials should also enforce the smoking ban.
“We should arrest the violators to teach them a lesson,” he said.
The councilor added that even before the nationwide smoking ban, the City Government is already enforcing City Ordinance No. 641, Series of 2013 which regulates smoking in public places, including public conveyances, and advertisements, promotions, and sponsorships of tobacco products.
Both Distrito and Familiaran also advised the public to call the assistance of the police to arrest the violators.
Bayen Elero-Tinga, external affairs director of tobacco giant PMFTC Inc., who was in Bacolod City earlier this week, said they will abide by the order regulating the industry.
She said it would have an effect on business as the ordinance is intended to affect the consumption, with adults as the target market.
“It won’t totally kill the industry, but it would set in place a mechanism that will impose discipline on smokers as they couldn’t smoke anywhere. Smokers have rights, but non-smokers also have rights,” she said. “It’s your choice to consume it, it’s a dangerous product. But you should limit it to yourself, and won’t affect the rights of non-smokers.”
Earlier, Department of Health in Negros Island Region Director Emilia Monicimpo said the local government units (LGUs) should lead the implementation of the nationwide smoking ban.
She said that some LGUs have already responded to the campaign of the DOH pushing for smoke-free localities.
Monicimpo said localities will face sanctions for non-compliance, adding that a body was assigned to monitor the implementation of the smoke ban.
On May 16, President Rodrigo Duterte signed the EO prohibiting smoking in all public and enclosed places nationwide.
Among the areas where smoking is strictly prohibited are in centers of youth activity, such as 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.
Also prohibited by the EO are the selling or distributing of tobacco products and placing advertisement and promotional materials of the said products in schools, public playgrounds, recreational facilities and other facilities frequented by minors.
Designated smoking area, on the other hand, will be allowed in an area where there is open space or proper ventilation.
Smoking areas are barred from being established in schools, colleges and universities, youth hostels, and recreational facilities for minors; elevators and stairwells; locations in which fire hazards are present (gas stations, storage areas for flammable liquids, gas, explosives or combustible materials); within the buildings and premises of public and private hospitals and other medical facilities and food preparation areas.