ILOILO City – Over 7,000 violators of the city’s anti-smoking ordinance were fined.
From Jan. 1 to Aug. 15 this year, the Iloilo City Anti-Smoking Task Force (ICAST) and Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) apprehended 868 vape and 6,410 cigarette smokers.
Violators ranged from 18 to 60 years old.
According to ICAST director Iñigo Garingalao, “Expected na abi ang mga estudyante nga magkaladakpan kay daw indi ta gid maka-intindi nga gingastohan sila sang ginikanan nila, pero part sang ila budget ti sigarilyo nila.”
The monthly breakdown of apprehensions:
* January – 629 violators (128 vape and 501 cigarette smokers)
* February – 787 violators (149 vape and 665 cigarette smokers)
* March – 1,442 violators (169 vape and 1,273 cigarette smokers)
* April – 1,273 violators (93 vape and 1,180 cigarette smokers)
* May – 1,067 violators (101 vape and 966 cigarette smokers )
* June – 1,110 violators (123 vape and 987 cigarette smokers)
* July – 567 violators (75 vape and 492 cigarette smokers)
* Aug. 1 to 15 – 403 violators (57 vape and 346 cigarette smokers)
For Garingalao, the anti-smoking campaign does not stop at apprehending smokers but involves all stakeholders, particularly medical experts, to educate the community about its ill effects.
“Indi gid malikawan maka-testing sila, once maka-testing sang sigarilyo, sige-sigehon mo na ina sia,” said Garingalao, noting that curiosity and peer influence are contributing factors.
The ICAST has installed signage outside schools and barangays to encourage the youth to avoid smoking.
Iloilo City was one of the first in the country to campaign against vaping, even before then president Rodrigo Duterte ordered a ban on the use and importation of vaping devices, or e-cigarettes.
The city’s Regulation Ordinance 2014-527, which prohibits smoking in public places and conveyances, covers vaping, too.
Under the ordinance, citation tickets would be issued to violators and a fine of P1,500 and/or three days imprisonment at the discretion of the court would be imposed for the first offense; a P2,000 fine and/or five days imprisonment for the second violation; and P5,000 and/or 10 days imprisonment at the discretion of the court for the third and succeeding violations.
Meanwhile, erring establishments or business facilities that tolerate or have no anti-smoking signage face a fine of P2,000 for the first offense; P3,000 for the second violation; and a P5,000 fine and/or suspension of business permits and, later, closure for the third violation.
For erring (selling cigarettes) individuals or business establishments with capital below P5,000, a fine of P1,000 would be imposed for the first violation; P2,000 for the second violation; and P5,000 for the third offense, or imprisonment for a period not exceeding five days, or both, at the discretion of the court./PN
