Political will from LGUs on nationwide smoking ban

Executive Order (EO) No. 26 or the nationwide smoking ban was signed by President Duterte on May 16 this year and took effect last July 23. Under this EO 26, smoking is prohibited in public and private transportation facilities, schools, food establishments, waiting shed areas, streets, and walkways. Individuals caught violating the smoking ban will face fines ranging from P500 to P10,000 depending on the number of offenses.

Owners of establishments, likewise, caught violating EO 26 will be fined P5,000 or face imprisonment of not more than 30 days.

I was in Manila last week of May and first week of July and I heard different reactions on the smoking ban from the people. But what caught my interest was the absence of “no-smoking” signs in the public areas or in the public utility vehicles. Putting up of the warning signs against smoking should have commenced as early as May 16 to inform the public of the EO 26.

The local government units (LGUs) are tasked to lead the implementation and the compliance of that executive order. But the way I see it. It takes guts and political will to implement EO 26 on the basis that majority of the law enforcers are smokers if not darn chain-smokers themselves.

I remember during the early years of the smoking ban here in Davao City. It was in 2002 when the smoking ban gained popular support from the non-smoking public but was unpopular to the smokers. There was a tug of war between enforcing the ban or letting it sleep. It was a very difficult time for the smokers because the mayor was determined to enforce it for public health. And look where we are now and what we have become as a non-smoking city.

In 2007, Davao City received an award from SEATCA (Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance) for the anti-smoking ordinance. There was also another international award for the same ordinance. And the city became a Hall of Famer awardee of the Department of Health because our local government unit gave the anti-smoking ordinance more teeth. More importantly, the culture of aversion to cigarettes was developed through the years. Thanks to solid and consistent implementation of the ordinance.

If only all local government units would benchmark on our own anti-smoking ordinance, they will not find it difficult implementing and enforcing the smoking ban.

After all, the mayors are duty-bound to follow the President and his staunch stance against smoking.