NO SMOKING. Personnel of the Iloilo City Anti-Smoking Task Force (ICAST) hang streamers to remind the public, especially students, of the city government’s campaign against smoking in this undated photo. ICAST Executive Director Iñigo Garingalao on Tuesday (Sept. 12, 2023) expressed fears that some students might already have been exposed not only to conventional cigarettes but also to vapes. (PNA photo courtesy of ICAST FB page)
ILOILO CITY – The Iloilo City Anti-Smoking Task Force (ICAST) has vowed to tighten the implementation of its anti-smoking ordinance, especially with the opening of classes.
In an interview on Tuesday, ICAST Executive Director Iñigo Garingalao expressed fears that more students might get exposed to electronic cigarettes and vapes with the start of the school year.
"The implication is once they tasted nicotine, they are on their way towards a smoking life with all its ill effects,” he said, adding that vapes promote smoking and not for cessation.
Iloilo City’s Regulation Ordinance 2014-527 prohibits smoking and vaping in public places and transport utilities.
Citation tickets are issued to violators, with a corresponding fine of PHP1,500 and/or imprisonment for three days at the discretion of the court on first offense, PHP2,000 and/or five days imprisonment at the discretion of the court on second offense, and PHP5,000 and/or 10 days imprisonment at court discretion for third and succeeding violations.
Establishments with no anti-smoking signage or display advertisements of cigarette companies may face up to a PHP5,000 fine and/or suspension of permits to operate or closure.
ICAST data this year showed from Jan. 1 to Aug. 15, they have apprehended 7,278 violators, with 6,410 of them using traditional cigarettes and 868 using vapes. Last year, they apprehended close to 10,000 violators.
These violations included apprehensions inside the premises of two big national high schools in the city.
He said they earlier conducted "reception operations" during the opening of classes, wherein they visited schools where alleged smoking incidents had been reported.
As part of their anti-smoking campaign, he said they have written schools and mounted signage about the ill effects of smoking.
“This is an ongoing campaign, community work,” he said.
In a separate interview, Iloilo City Schools Division Superintendent Ma. Luz de los Reyes said schools are oriented on what to do and the significance of the anti-smoking campaign.
“We will alert our schools, we will remind them, and we will keep on advocating non-smoking within the premises,” she said.
She also appealed for parents to help them in the campaign.
Meantime, Garingalao said a violation of the Anti-Smoking Ordinance carries a penalty of PHP1,500, PHP2,000, and PHP5,000 for the first, second, and subsequent offenses, respectively. (PNA)
