Nearly 3,000 caught in first month of smoking ban

MANILA, Philippines—Almost a month after the full implementation of its anti-smoking policy, environmental enforcers of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority apprehended almost 3,000 smokers caught puffing away in public places, the agency reported Friday.

In a statement, the MMDA said a total of 2,906 people were apprehended, 2,695 of whom were male and 211 females.

Most of the violators were caught in several areas along Edsa, particularly at the Monumento-Light Rail Transit station; Farmers’ Market in Cubao, Quezon City; Philippine Overseas Employment Administration-Robinsons’ Galleria area in Ortigas and Pasay Rotunda.

During the same period, local government units in Metro Manila enforced their respective anti-smoking ordinances and issued 1,439 warnings and fined at least 88 violators.

MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino and the 17 Metro Manila mayors earlier agreed to intensify the authority’s no-smoking drive, extending its scope to cover the entire metropolis.

Tolentino said the success of the campaign should also be attributed to the Department of Health’s effort in “bringing the anti-smoking campaign to national consciousness.”

“From Day One of this campaign the Department of Health was behind us, lending their perspective and wisdom of experience as co-chair of the Inter-Agency Committee under the Tobacco Regulation Act,” said Tolentino.

Last May 31, the health department conferred the Red Orchid Award on the MMDA for the strength of its comprehensive effort to implement a 100 percent Tobacco-Free Environment within its own offices.

“A smoke-free environment starts from within.  We make the decision to protect ourselves from the pernicious effects of first- and second-hand smoke.  That is what this enforcement and massive information campaign is all about,” he added.  “It was never about restricting the rights of smokers.  It was about equally protecting the rights of non-smokers.”

Tolentino also clarified that the anti-smoking campaign also included enforcement of the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board 2009 memorandum circular, which bans smoking and the act of carrying a lighted cigarette or other tobacco products in all public utility vehicles and public transportation terminals.

Under the Tobacco Regulation Act, the absolute smoking ban covers public conveyances and public facilities including transport terminals and train and bus stations.