By RALPH JOHN MIJARES
ROXAS City — Reporting tobacco-related violations has become a click easier, as people can now reach the authorities via text and the Internet.
A new media campaign against smoking was launched here yesterday during a program in observance of the No Smoking Month at the Dinggoy Roxas Civic Center.
For only P1 per text message, the public can now file a report by typing in their mobile phones NOYOSI (space) violation / name of establishment / exact address of incident / city or municipality / province, and send it to 2256.
An incident report form can also be filled up at www.smokefree.doh.gov.ph.
These methods help the authorities identify erring people and establishments even without patrolling, said Joeffry Espiritu, health education and promotion officer of the Provincial Health Office (PHO).
The launching was spearheaded by the Department of Health (DOH) Region 6, PHO and the City Health Office.
Dr. Julia Villanueva, cluster head of DOH Region 6’s Noncommunicable Disease Prevention and Control, who spoke during the program, described a “smoke-free” environment as one where people smoke only in designated areas.
Smoking in enclosed spaces, she stressed, can easily spread the harmful effects of secondhand smoke to nonsmokers.
Also present during the program were Gov. Victor Tanco Sr., Mayor Angel Alan Celino, Vice Mayor Ronnie Dadivas, several city councilors, City Health Officer Amelita Robles, and representatives from local government units and municipal hospitals.
A caravan of 44 vehicles was held during the program. It started in Dumarao, passing by Cuartero, Dao, Sigma, Panitan and Panay, and ended in Roxas City.
No Smoking Month is being observed every June by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 183, series of 1993. It aims to spread awareness on the ill effects of smoking and to discourage the fatal habit./PN
