DoH backs MMDA smoking ban

MANILA, Philippines—The health department is seeing eye to eye with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority in pursuing its enforcement of the smoking ban.

The Department of Health (DoH) in a statement released Wednesday, said that it continues to support the ban on smoking in areas covered by the Republic Act 9211 or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 1993.

This was despite the temporary restraining order issued by the Mandaluyong City Regional Trial Court Branch 213. The court held that sidewalks and public thoroughfares were beyond the areas covered by the ban.

The DoH said they would continue to support the MMDA’s efforts in prohibiting smoking in public areas as “the ill effects of smoking are experienced not only by smokers themselves but also by the unsuspecting public.”

The department warned that inhaling second hand smoke increases not only the risk of contracting non-communicable diseases in adults but also renders children prone to lung diseases and other complications in physical growth and intellectual development.