Smokers are lording IT over public transport and places in Metro Manila affecting innocent people, including children and women on the family way, suffering from second-hand smoke.
A number of people, including pregnant women, interviewed by Manila Standard urged the police and local government units to go against those who continue ignoring and defied the policy against smoking in public places and conveyances.
“Aside from passengers, jeep and bus drivers themselves are the ones violating the policy,” said Nenita Raymundo, a four-month pregnant and resident of Parañaque City.
Gloria Mercader, of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, said: “I think it is important for the newly elected barangay officials to be aware of the ban so that they, themselves, inform their constituents or the community about it.”
Meanwhile, Health Justice Philippines, a think tank and advocacy group with legal expertise in tobacco control and health promotion, called on President Rodrigo Duterte to rally support for universal health care and higher tobacco taxes.
“We implore the President to emphasize the immediate need to pass the universal health care bill into law. It stands to benefit millions of Filipinos who would otherwise not receive the medical attention and treatment they urgently need,” said Mary Ann Fernandez Mendoza, Health Justice president.
Duterte, during his previous State of the Nation Address, spoke lengthily about reforms that had been made in the health sector, including signing E.O. 26, the expansion of health insurance coverage and benefits and more effective implementation of the No Balance Billing Policy.
“Investing in the health sector is never a cost to be endured but an opportunity to be explored,” Duterte said during his second Sona in 2017.
“We are eager to hear all about what the administration has done to make good its promise to ensure that Filipinos are given equitable access to quality and affordable health services,” Mendoza added.
The National Police Commission issued Memorandum Circular 2017-003 directing police personnel to apprehend violators of Executive Order 26 which was approved by President Duterte on May 16, 2017.
The directive enjoins the members of the PNP, together with the Smoke-Free Task Force under the city and municipal governments, to strictly carry out the provisions of E.O. 26 including the apprehension of violators and the institution of criminal proceedings for violations, in accordance with relevant laws, rules and regulations, and in observance of due process.
E.O. 26 is a reinforcement of Republic Act 9211, or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003, which prohibits smoking in certain public places and the purchase and sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products to and by minors, and in certain places frequented by minors.
Nonsmokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke at home or at work have a 25 percent to 30 percent increased the risk of developing lung cancer while babies of non-smoking women during pregnancy are at risk of experiencing a small reduction in birth weight.
In infants and children, second-hand smoke exposure causes sudden infant death syndrome, acute respiratory infections, middle ear disease, more severe asthma, respiratory symptoms, and slowed lung growth.
In southern Metro Manila, authorities arrested 347 individuals caught smoking in public places and conveyances.
Supt. Jenny Tecson, the spokesperson of the Southern Police District, said SPD operatives conducted simultaneous operations from July 24 to 27 which resulted in the arrest of smokers and other violators of municipal ordinances in cities of Pasay, Makati, Parañaque, Muntinlupa, Taguig and Las Piñas.