MANILA, Philippines -- Bad news for Muntinlupa City residents who are hooked on nicotine.

Beginning this week, members of a task force created by the city government will be going around Muntinlupa to apprehend people who smoke in public places.

According to the city public information office, the task force will help ensure that all public places in Muntinlupa, including city hall, plazas, roads and churches, will be smoke-free from now on.

On Tuesday, Mayor Aldrin San Pedro issued Executive Order 19 authorizing the smoke-free task force to implement, monitor and enforce Ordinance No. 99-046 which strictly prohibits smoking in public places all over the city.

“The group will be responsible for apprehending violators and holding educational campaigns against smoking,” San Pedro said in a statement.

He added that the creation of the task force is based on the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003 or Republic Act 9211 prohibiting smoking in certain public places, whether enclosed or outdoors, like centers of youth activities, public facilities and public utility vehicles.

Under the ordinance, first-time violators face a fine of P200 or one to two days in prison while second-time offenders will be fined P500 or spend three to five days in detention.

Third-time violators, on the other hand, will be fined P1,000 or be jailed for a week.

Members of the task group include representatives from the city police, Traffic Management Bureau and Public Order and Safety Office, public information office, environment department and the city health office.

San Pedro stressed that there was no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke.

He cited recent studies which showed that only completely smoke-free public places and workplaces could protect people from exposure to secondhand smoke because ventilation and air filtration systems would not always ensure 100 percent protection.