Smokers in Parañaque face P500-P1,500 fine

The Parañaque government has reminded residents that a local ordinance banning smoking in public places would take effect in the city starting Monday.

In a statement issued Sunday, Mayor Florencio Bernabe Jr. urged nicotine lovers to be mindful of other people before they light up as the city government renews its campaign against smoking.

“We urge smokers to give up this habit for their own sake and for the benefit of their family and the public,” Bernabe said.

The campaign will start at city hall and extend to the nearby Barangay (village) San Antonio, he added. Other facilities that will be adopting the no-smoking policy include FV Bernabe Sr. Memorial Hospital and the Parañaque Livelihood Resource Management Office.

The mayor, meanwhile, instructed barangay officials to form task groups to implement the ordinance in their respective areas. Aside from barangay workers, members of the task force will also include the police city government employees and deputized citizens.

The ordinance bans smoking in all government buildings, public and private schools, hospitals and facilities, transport terminals, malls, hotels, restaurants, recreational places, markets and other establishments.

Violators will be fined P500 for the first offense and P1,000 and P1,500 for the second and third offense, respectively.

Owners of establishments also caught in violation of the ordinance will be fined P2,000 for the first offense, P3,000 and P5,000 for the second and third offenses and the possible revocation of their business permits.