Paolo Duterte eyes smoking ban on beaches nationwide

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential son and Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte said he wants to ban smoking on beaches nationwide under his father's administration.

The eldest son of President Rodrigo Duterte, Paolo, said he wants to get involved in the nationwide campaign to save beaches.

He said banning smoking on beaches is the first step for the campaign to become successful.

According to Paolo, Philippine shorelines have been threatened by illegal dumping of garbage including cigarette butts, empty bottles of alcoholic beverages and household and medical wastes.

"The irresponsible disposal of cigarette butts on our beaches, if left unchecked, will be a cause of a major problem in the future," Paolo said.

"If we are not going to do anything to stop this today, then we can only expect a bigger problem in the future," he added.

Paolo said there is already a law governing the management of wastes.

He said Baler, a known tourist destination, already banned the drinking of alcoholic beverages and smoking on its beaches last year to maintain cleanliness.

READ: Baler bans smoking, drinking on beaches

Paolo said he has witnessed the extent of Baler’s problem when he visited the town early this year during the campaign for his father’s presidency. He said beaches popular among surfers needed environmental care.

"The problem showed that our shorelines, especially the tourist destinations, have not been given the needed attention when it comes to environmental protection. The government has disregarded this very important task," the younger Duterte said.

In 2012, Davao City started implementing a smoking ban in the city.  The public is not allowed to smoke in all public places including the beaches.