MMDA wants cops to enforce smoking ban in 5 cities

MANILA, Philippines -  The Metro Manila Development Authority will tap the Philippine National Police (PNP) to implement the smoking ban in public places in five cities, MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino said yesterday.

In a health forum organized by the Philippine College of Physicians, Tolentino identified these cities as Manila, Quezon City, Pasay, Caloocan and Mandaluyong.

“Our manpower in these cities had already been stretched … Within this week, we’ll sign a memorandum of agreement with the PNP on how (our partnership will be carried out),” he noted.

Tolentino assured the public that the program will not fizzle out. He reported that since the campaign started last July 1, a total of 983 smokers have been arrested.

He urged the barangays officials in Metro Manila and local government leaders in the provinces to come up with their own versions of the smoking ban.

“We hope to convince movie producers not to produce movies that have smoking scenes … We are looking forward to the day when Congress passes (laws that) will require cigarette manufacturers to utilize one-half of cigarette packaging space to depict graphic, visual pictures of the harmful effects of smoking,” he added.

During the forum, the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) and Philippine Society of Endocrinology (PSE) sought the establishment of more smoking cessation clinics to complement anti-tobacco campaigns.

According to former PSE president Dr. Leilani Mercado-Asis, there is also a need to help those who intend to quit smoking get for the programs to succeed.

“We don’t pound the smokers as criminals because they also need help. Smoking is an addiction.

Most of them started smoking because of lack of awareness (about the menace of cigarettes),” she said.

Asis said that there is no single effective approach for those who want to stop smoking. Depending on the level of addiction, the participation of counselors and doctors from various specializations like cardiology and pulmonology may also be required.

PMA treasurer Dr. Marian Dobles said the existing smoking cessation clinics in Metro Manila are not enough. The idea is for all government hospitals to have such a clinic, so the PMA has been coordinating with the Department of Health about this, she said.