Metrowide smoking ban starts on Friday

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino on Sunday reminded smokers that the agency would start implementing a metrowide ban on smoking in public places starting on Friday.

“We at the MMDA and all Metro Manila mayors agreed on the strict implementation of the smoking ban during the recent Metro Manila Council meeting,” Tolentino said.

The ban was supposed to be implemented this month but it was deferred to give way to an information campaign on the areas covered by the smoking ban.

Starting on Friday, MMDA enforcers can apprehend violators spotted in major roads under its jurisdiction.

These include Edsa, Commonwealth Avenue, Marcos Highway, Roxas Boulevard, Quezon Avenue, Seaside, Radial-10 Road and Osmeña Highway.

At the same time, Tolentino cited the cities of Caloocan, Mandaluyong, Parañaque and Muntinlupa for their antismoking ordinances, which defined open spaces as “public places” which, according to the official, expanded the coverage of the tobacco regulation law.

However, only local enforcers from the four cities will be able to hand out citation tickets to violators in these areas. To be able to apprehend violators, MMDA personnel will have to be accompanied by a representative from the local government, Tolentino said.

According to Tolentino, smoking will be banned in public places such as public utility vehicles, bus and jeep terminals, tricycles, loading and unloading bays, pedestrian lanes, overpasses, underpasses, elevators, recreational facilities, food preparation areas, schools and hospitals.

Smoking will also be prohibited within 100 meters of those places, as well as on sidewalks.

Violators will be fined P500 on the first offense. Those who cannot afford to pay will be required to perform eight hours of community service.

Tolentino, meanwhile, urged the public to learn more about their city’s antismoking laws so that they would be able to tell when they are violating the ban.

Based on studies, secondhand smoke has been proven to be as dangerous as direct smoking, causing lung cancer and cardiovascular and other respiratory illnesses.