MANILA, Philippines — Even with the current city ordinances, a Quezon City councilor said there is an urgent need for concerned authorities to enforce stricter no-smoking regulations in public places with the rising number of lung cancer cases and other ailments attributed to excessive smoking. QC third district Councilor Allan Benedict Reyes said that non-smokers are also affected especially those staying in enclosed places for long hours due to second hand smoke inhalation.
“I am particularly concerned with the increasing number of women and teenage smokers. Although I recognize their rights even though how unhealthful it may be to relieve their stress through cigarette smoking these must be done so as not to affect non-smokers especially children and women,’’ Reyes said.
Reyes said that there is a need for stronger enforcement of the no-smoking laws in public places like air-conditioned rooms as clients are allowed to smoke freely in establishments like nightclubs, restaurants, videoke bars and other nightspots.
Among laws against smoking in public places are Republic Act 9211 otherwise known as the “Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003’’ and Quezon City Ordinance Number SP-1515.
Reyes said that establishment owners who fail to remind their customers of the no-smoking rule in enclosed public places or their failure to direct them to the smoking area should be penalized.
Chito Chavez, Manila Bulletin
