DENR-7 bans smoking in its Offices, Vehicles

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 is imposing a "100-percent smoke-free environment" policy in all its provincial and community offices including government service vehicles in Central Visayas.

This is in compliance to the Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular Number 17 series of 2009 that adopts and promulgates a smoking prohibition in all areas of government premises, buildings, and grounds, except in open spaces designated as smoking areas.

DENR-7 executive director Isabelo R. Montejo said that this policy seeks to maintain a healthy and productive workforce while protecting the people from exposure to secondhand smoke which is considered more dangerous.

The said memorandum issued recently by Montejo disallows DENR-7 employees, field and office-based personnel from smoking within the office premises and in their field assignments.           Smoking is also banned in any DENR 7 vehicle.

Any violation shall be considered ground for disciplinary action pursuant to Rule XIV of the Omnibus Rules and Implementation Book V of Executive Order No. 929.

In line with this, Montejo urged the public that no-smoking policy could not only reduce risks on public health but can also contribute to minimize environmental hazards brought about by polluted air.

The DENR-7, in a statement, further states that recent studies show that secondhand smoke causes lung cancer, increases the risk of a heart attack, triggers asthma attack, and causes acute respiratory effects.

It added that secondhand smoke, which has higher concentration of toxic chemicals than inhaled by smokers, is a known human carcinogen and an occupational carcinogen containing formaldehyde, benzene, vinyl chloride, arsenic, ammonia, and hydrogen cyanide. — (FREEMAN)