MANILA, Philippines—Antismoking advocates have urged local governments to strictly implement the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003 prohibiting the sale of cigarettes near schools.

Lawyer Ma. Paz Luna, a member of the antismoking group Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance Philippines (FCAP), called the attention of the City of Manila’s permits division, saying several establishments in the city continue to disregard the law.

“We want all local government units to comply, but right now we’re focusing on Manila because it’s very strategic, given its dense population,” Luna said.

Convenience stores as well as vendors near the gates of educational institutions continue to sell cigarettes to students,” she complained.

Luna cited Republic Act No. 9211, which states that the sale or distribution of tobacco products is prohibited within 100 meters from any point of the perimeter of a school or public playground.