Mayor Toby Tiangco on Sunday reminded Navoteños that vaping in public has been banned in Navotas since 2018.
Citing City Ordinance No. 2018-15 or the Navotas Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance, Tiangco said both smoking and vaping in public are punishable by fines or imprisonment.
“Just like smoking, vaping in public is also considered unlawful. Violation of this could get you fined, or worse, imprisoned,” he said.
“Penalizing these acts is crucial as we protect the health of our people and promote clean air,” he added.
Tiangco noted that the ordinance has been passed and implemented long before President Rodrigo Duterte ordered a nationwide ban on vaping.
The ordinance stated that except in designated smoking areas, smoking or vaping in enclosed or partially enclosed public places, workplaces, and public conveyances is prohibited.
Among the places with absolute smoking bans are government facilities and premises, schools, parks, centers of youth activity, hospitals and other health facilities, and food preparation areas.
It is also illegal to sell to or buy from minors any tobacco products and Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) or Electronic Non-Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENNDS).
ENDS include e-cigarettes, electronic shisha, and other similar devices. ENNDS has the same features as ENDS but does not contain nicotine.
Selling, distributing or advertising tobacco products and ENDS or ENNDS are also not allowed within 100 meters from schools, playgrounds, hospitals and health facilities, and government offices.
Ambulant or street vendors, including other mobile or temporary trading posts such as stalls, kiosks, stations or units are also banned from selling such products. Only establishments with city permit to sell may be able to do so.
Violators will be fined with P500 for the first offense and P1,000 for the second offense. The third or subsequent offenses will be meted with a P2,500 fine or 3-month imprisonment. Establishments could also have their business license suspended or revoked.
If the violator is a minor, his or her parents or guardians could be penalized based on the Navotas City Children’s Code.
Penalties include P500 fine and 10 hours community service for the first offense; P1,000 fine and 20 hours community service for the second offense; and P1,500 fine and expulsion or disqualification from livelihood projects, cash assistance, grants and loans provided by the City Government.
According to the Navotas City Police, some 14,500 violators have already been fined since July 1 this year.
