Smoking ban in Central Luzon eyed

 SAN FERNANDO, Pam­panga ,Philippines  – Central Luzon is taking after Metro Manila in the ban on the sale, distribution and advertisement of cigarettes.

 The regional offices of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Department of Health (DOH) have signed recently a joint memorandum urging all governors and mayors, as well as their legislative councils to immediately pass smoke-free ordinances.

DILG regional director Flori­da Dijan and DOH regional director Dr. Rio Magpantay signed the joint memorandum.

Central Luzon covers Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Ba­taan, Zambales, Aurora and this province.

The memorandum advised local officials to pattern the ordinances after a model developed by DOH in consultation with the Framework Convention on Tobacco Alliance Philippines (FCTAP), Health, Justice and other concerned government agencies.