Still smoking?

OVER a year ago, President Duterte signed an executive order banning smoking in public places nationwide. The signing of Executive Order 26 was made in time for the celebration of World No Tobacco Day on May 31.

One year hence, is the EO being enforced?

Smoking impacts on life expectancy and the health of the youth, mothers, children, and the elderly. The health costs are high and this is why the government imposes sin taxes on tobacco and tobacco products.

Considering the high adverse impact of smoking on the health of our citizens, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) ought to grade local government units (LGUs) on how effectively they are able to implement no smoking and tobacco control policies in their jurisdictions.

In addition to administrative, criminal and other penalties on tobacco control, the metrics on tobacco control should be among the criteria for the incentive awards the DILG, DOH and DBM give to model LGUs. And why not impose administrative sanctions against LGU officials who fail to implement the regulations on tobacco control?

The truth is that the effective implementation of the smoking ban and other laws designed to reduce the use of tobacco products is seriously lacking down to the barangay level because there is no compelling enough reason for local officials to do their job.

Here’s one suggestion: DBM and DILG may link anti-tobacco compliance with the amount of funding local governments receive from the national government. To make this evidence-based, there must be a citizen-sourced reporting system on non-compliance and compliance.

Barangays with lots of reports of stores and vendors selling to minors should get less funding while LGUs with fewer stores selling cigarettes and fewer cigarette butts in their trash and on their sidewalks and streets should get more funding.

A combination of incentives, disincentives and penalties may just do the trick.

DBM guidelines on the use of the Local Government Support Fund, the Internal Revenue Allotments, and funds for the Sangguniang Kabataan, and Gender and Development should include incentives, disincentives, and parameters tied to the barangay implementation of anti-smoking and tobacco control policies and laws.

The bottom line here is protecting public health. No excuses.