Tom: Smoke ban to hurt Cebu nightlife

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City’s bustling nightlife and its economy in general may suffer because of the implementation of the nationwide smoke ban, Mayor Tomas Osmeña said.

To support his argument, he took Davao City as an example.

“It’s bad for our economy. I’m not a smoker anymore. But if you implement something like that, it creates very strong undesirable effects. Like for example, Davao’s nightlife is dead because there’s no smoking there,” Osmeña told reporters at a press conference yesterday in his office.

The mayor maintained that preventing people from smoking will always have an adverse impact to the economy.

A hotel in Cebu City, for instance, reportedly lost 30 percent of its income after the city government started to strictly implement the Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance when Councilor Margot Osmeña was still acting mayor.

Mayor Osmeña added that the smoke ban may not also facilitate rehabilitation of inmates at the city jail but rather worsen their situation.

“Now one of the things I think is going too far: In BBRC (city jail), they are not allowed smoking. That’s bad. That’s bad. Because these people are already stressed out, nisamot. And then it creates corruption among guards. How much they charge for cigarette? Fifty pesos?” he said.

“Naturally, they will do anything to get a cigarette because it’s a form of addiction. They should give small area to smoke. Sige, smoke there till death. It doesn't improve the process of rehabilitation, and it creates corruption among security system because they will pay anything just for a cigarette,” he added.

The mayor, however, clarified that the city will still adhere to President Duterte’s Executive Order 26 but he will “temper everything with mercy even to the vendors.”

For her part, Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office Chief Nida Cabrera said they will require establishments to put up “No smoking” signages.

Compared to the existing city ordinance, EO 26 is more specific when it comes to restricted areas for smoking. It also requires the creation of a task force, in coordination with the local government unit, the Department of Health, and the police.

“Even pagbaligya sa sigarilyo duol sa eskwelahan  ug  mga playground or computer areas nga dunay mga bata, dili na allowed. So kung mamaligya ka diha, dakpon gyud ka,” Cabrera said.

CCENRO records show that some 111 violators so far have been apprehended for violating the city’s anti-smoking ordinance in July this year alone.

“We issue citation tickets and after seven days, kung dili sila mobayad sa ilang violation, we will file case against them. The penalty under the EO 26 is P5,000 compared to the ordinance which ranges from P1,000 to P5,000,” Cabrera said.

Resistance

Police themselves are expecting a lot of violators.

“We expect that there will be resistance. Pero we do hope the public will be one with the police in implementing this executive order,” said Chief Inspector Ramoncelio Sawan, spokesperson of the Cebu City Police Office.

Sawan does not see any problem with the order’s implementation because there are beat patrollers and police personnel assigned to monitor public compliance.

“We do hope mahimong maayo ang implementation sa smoke ban but we also know nga dili ni siya ma-perfect, being the first time sa Cebu City. Siyempre first time ni sa kapulisan ang pag-implement sa maong balaod. We will follow mga guidelines,” he said.

Authorities are aware of the challenges that go hand in hand with the implementation, one of which is dealing with violators who may question the technicality of their apprehension. But Sawan remains confident that the order will get momentum in due time.

Police Regional Office-7 Director Chief Superintendent Jose Mario Espino likewise assured that the implementation will go without hitches.

He said station commanders and other units have been directed to enforce strict observance of the ban, especially in public places.

“Very clear na man yun, very clear when and where ka pwede mag-smoke. So anybody, hindi lang pulis ang pwede manghuli. LGUs can also implement that,” said Espino.

Provisions

EO 26 or the Smoking Ban Law, signed by President Duterte last May 16 and already in effect since yesterday, prohibits people from smoking within enclosed public places and public conveyances, whether stationary or in motion.

It also prohibits anyone from selling tobacco cigarettes to minors as they are not allowed to smoke.

Selling and distribution of tobacco cigarettes 100 meters from the perimeter of any school, playground, parks, youth hostels and any recreational facilities for minors are also not allowed.

Advertising, promotions of tobacco products such as flyers, posters, leaflets in at least 100 meters from the parameter of any school, public playground and anywhere where minors are frequented are prohibited as well.

The EO also requires establishments to post a “No smoking” signage measuring at least 8 by 11 inches in an area most visible to the public where smoking is prohibited.

Smoking ban viola-tors will be punished in accordance with the applicable penalties under Section 32 of Republic Act 9211 or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003. (FREEMAN)