CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City Rehabilitation and Detention Center now bans smoking inside its premises.
The ban, which was implemented by Chief Inspector Renante Rubio, jail warden, is in compliance with the directive issued by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).
Each year, 35,000 Filipino die due to cigarette smoking as reported by the Department of Health, Rubio said.
Rubio received the directive just last week, but he said he will enforce it step by step to give inmates time and jail personnel to become accustomed to it.
Some inmates sell cigarettes and Rubio said he would allow them to continue doing so until the stocks run out.
The jail warden admitted that when he announced it to the inmates, there were those who opposed especially those who are making money out of it.
Hence, he allowed a videoke inside the facility in lieu of the business he is about to ban.
Meanwhile, all ash trays and cigarette receptacles have already been moved outside of the facility.
The jail’s staff can only smoke outside of the facility.