Ombudsman bans vaping, smoking

MANILA, Philippines – The Office of the Ombudsman has issued a directive banning vaping and smoking within its premises.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales signed on April 16 Office Circular No. 12, requiring the strict compliance with the smoking ban.

The ban covers all forms of tobacco products, including cigarettes, electronic-cigarettes or e-cigars and similar devices.

Morales included vaping in the list of smoking-related offenses that could result in a hefty fine as well as criminal and administrative cases against officials and employees who will not heed the policy.

A directive prohibiting smoking within the premises of the anti-graft agency has been in place since 2010 but it was not strictly followed, according to Morales.

“To ensure the success of the anti-smoking policy, smokers and non-smokers alike should be educated on the negative effects of smoking necessitating a need for the implementation of a smoking cessation program,” Morales said.

“Smoking refers to the act of lighting and or puffing any lighted cigarette, cigar, or any other form of tobacco product,” the ombudsman’s circular read.

E-cigarettes were not popular at the time when former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez banned smoking within the anti-graft agency’s premises six years ago.

Users of e-cigarettes argued that vaping is not smoking because the end product is not inhaled but the vapor created by the vaporizing liquid.

Morales said she decided to issue a new anti-smoking policy since the previous one had not been strictly observed by ombudsman officials and employees.

She said the smoking ban in all government offices is in compliance with the Clean Air Act of 1999 and Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003.

Violators face fines of up to P10,000, Morales said.

The Civil Service Commission is also implementing smoke-free policy in government offices.

Morales ordered building administrators and supervisors to post no smoking signs and remove ashtrays and other cigarette receptacles within the vicinity of the Office of the Ombudsman.