Lapu-Lapu sets public hearing on regulating smoking in public

CEBU, Philippines – The Lapu-Lapu City Council has scheduled a public hearing this Friday, September 3, 2010 for the proposed ordinance which seeks to regulate smoking in public places, in-cluding public conveyances.

Lapu-Lapu City Vice Mayor Marcial Ycong said invited to the public hearing are barangay captains, business establishments, non-governmental organizations, and others.

The public hearing will start at 9:30 a.m. at the session hall of the Lapu-Lapu City hall.

The proposed ordinance cited that under the general welfare provision of the Local Government Code, every local government unit is mandated, not only to promote the health and safety, but also preserve the comfort and convenience of its inhabitants.

The proposal further said that one of the known perils to the heath, safety, comfort and convenience of the community is the hazards tobacco smoke poses.

It said the passage of Republic Act 9211, also known as the Tobacco Regulatory Act of 2003 (Republic Act 9211), explicitly recognizes the existence of this problem.

The proposed ordinance further said that the Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 9211 has enjoined and tasked mayors, building officials and the police in all local government units to ensure full compliance with the tenets of the act, hence, the need to pass an ordinance which will regulate smoking in all public places including public conveyances.

On the first offense, a violator should pay a fine of P500 or render one week community service or both.

On the second offense, a violator is fined P1,000 or render community service or both.

On the third offense, violator is fined P1,500 or render one month community service or both.

For failure to designate a smoking and non-smoking areas, standards for designated smoking area and signage for designated smoking and non-smoking areas, violators would be fined.

On the first offense, violator will be fined P1,000, for the second offense, P3,000 and third, P5,000.

The City Engineer's Office is tasked to inspect and certify the appropriateness of the designated smoking area provided by service establishments taking into considerations the air quality standard attached herein. (FREEMAN)