Davao stores warned on cigarette sale

DAVAO CITY—The city government has given Philippine Seven Corp. (PSC) until the end of this month to clear 7-Eleven stores of cigarettes or face closure under the antismoking ordinance.

Dr. Domelyn Villareiz of the Anti-Smoking Task Force said the stores had been violating the Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance, which was passed by the city council in 2002 and amended to include more prohibitions and stiffer penalties in 2012.

Their permits will be revoked if they will not comply with the provisions of the law, she said.

PSC was warned about selling cigarettes in the stores and revocation of their permits in a letter sent by City Administrator Melchor Quitain on Nov. 23.

7-Eleven stores also offer refreshment and fast food to its clients, which made these fall under the “accommodation and entertainment” category. They are, however, prohibited from selling cigarettes as prescribed by Section 3 of the city’s antismoking law.

If PSC wants to continue selling cigarettes in its stores, except those near schools, it has to shut down its refreshment parlors, Villareiz said. But it cannot retain that feature and at the same time sell cigarettes, she added.

PSC opened its first store at Abreeza Mall here in May last year. It has since opened several other stores, including one near Kapitan Tomas Monteverde Elementary School on Ponciano Reyes Street.

The company plans to open a total of 30 stores in the city as part of its Mindanao expansion, according to its president, Jose Victor Paterno. Judy Quiros, Inquirer Mindanao