Increase in penalties for smoking violators pushed

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Councilor Richard “Richie” Osmeña is seeking to increase the penalties of those who are caught violating the anti-smoking ordinance of the city government.

In a proposed amendatory ordinance, Osmeña wants that the penalties for those caught smoking in public places as well as the establishments that are not complying with the anti-smoking ordinance should be increased.

Osmeña’s proposal is aimed at curbing smoking inside the business establishments and other areas where people gather including Casinos.

He observed that Casino Filipino management failed to prevent gamblers from smoking inside the casino.

The current City Ordinance 1895 only imposes a penalty of P500, P1,000 and P5,000 for first, second, third and succeeding violations, respectively.

Osmeña wants that the penalty for the first offense should be raised to P1,000, P3,000 for the second and P5,000 for the third violation.

 “Ang mga tag-iya sa establishment angay g’yud nga iapil pagsilot kon dili sila makasanta sa pagpanabako sa ilang customers diha sa ilang balay-patigayon. Magbutang sila og smoking area. Apektado man gud ang dili manabako nga makahanggap sa aso sa sigarilyo,” Osmeña said.

Health experts said smoking is among the world’s leading preventable cause of death with about four million people worldwide die of smoking related diseases.

Councilor Edgardo Labella said he is worried about the report that nearly 70 percent of smoking-related deaths is happening in developing countries like the Philippines. — (FREEMAN)