The Department of Health revealed that the planned nationwide smoking ban to be implemented will also cover designated smoking areas inside establishments.
On Monday, the DOH said they have already submitted the draft of the Executive Order (EO) which will be signed by President Rodrigo Duterte implementing the nationwide smoking ban.
In a radio interview on Tuesday, DOH Assistant Secretary Eric Tayag said the soon-to-be-released EO will adopt a previous order from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) which apprehends violators even if they are outside public areas.
“Lumawak yung ibig sabihin ng public places, hindi na lamang ito sakop ang indoor kung hindi pati outdoor. ‘Di ba yung MMDA na-TRO na nanghuli sila ng libo-libong violators sa smoke-free zones? Hindi sila pinayagan ng korte dahil yung mga nahuli nila ay nasa outdoor ng public places. Kasama na ngayon ‘yun,” Tayag said.
He added that, “bawal na rin yung designated smoking places kahit indoor. ‘Di ba may separate room? Wala na ring ganoon.”
He also mentioned that even smoking areas in airports will also not be allowed.
“Sa airport natin may ganoon, wala na rin dapat yun,” Tayag said.
Under the EO, Tayag clarified that smoking will be allowed in isolated areas and non-public places.
“Sa tabi-tabi, sa likod ng mga building na walang public,” he said.
Aside from the usual cigarettes, the EO may also prohibit vaping or e-cigarettes in public places, Tayag added.
“Ang marketing niyan ay para mag-quit smoking subalit ang kabaligtaran ang nangyayari, nagkakaroon sila ng karanasan sa paggamit ng iba’t ibang uri ng vaping hanggang sa mauwi sa pinagbabawal o addicting substances,” he said.
When the EO is released, Tayag said the local government units will be given authority to release ordinances to affirm the order and arrest violators.
DOH Secretary Paulyn Jean Ubial earlier said Duterte is expected to sign an EO on the nationwide no smoking policy before the year 2016 ends, after an information that the smoking ban in Davao City will be replicated in the entire country.