The Philippines is Now a No Smoking Country

The President has signed Executive Order No. 26, banning smokers from puffing toxic tobacco fumes in public and enclosed places.

Below is a summary of EO No. 26 entitled: “Providing for the establishment of smoke-free environments in public and enclosed spaces,”

1. Enclosed and public spaces include public transportation, whether in motion or stopped at a traffic light or on a roadside.
2. Establishments must assign a Designated Smoking Area (DSA) following the standards provided in the EO.  DSAs may be an open space or a separate area with proper ventilation.
3. DSAs in an enclosed space must not have an opening where cigarette-smoke-contaminated air may escape into smoke-free areas of the enclosure (buildings, rooms, public transportation), save for a “single door with an automatic door closer”.
4. Only one DSA is allowed per building and transportation and must have a clear signage identifying that area as a smoking area.
5. DSAs must have a non-smoking buffer zone, the combined area of both must not be larger than 20% of the total floor area of the building or transportation.
6. Minors are not allowed to enter DSAs and its buffer zone.
7. The following are not allowed to have a DSA at all:
   • Centers of youth activity such as playschools, preparatory schools, elementary schools, high schools, colleges and universities, youth hostels, and recreational facilities for minors.
   • Elevators and stairwells.
   • Locations where fire hazards are present.
   • Premises of private and public hospitals, as well as medical, dental, and optical clinics.
   • Food preparation areas.
8. Persons-in-charge such as mangers or presidents of establishments, building administrators are prohibited from tolerating smoking public places surrounding their buildings and places of assignment.
9. Sale, distribution, purchase of tobacco products to and from minors are prohibited.
10. Tobacco advertisements and promotional materials (kiosks, special offer booths, etc.) are prohibited within 100 meters from the perimeter of a school, public playground, and other facilities where minors often converge or stay.
11. Violators of provisions on providing tobacco products to minors may be fined Php 5,000, imprisoned of up to 30 days, or revocation of business licenses and permits.
12. Violators of the rules for smoking in public places may be fined Php 500 up to Php 10,000.

The EO will be enforced 60 days after ongoing publication in broadsheets nationwide.

Sources:

www.cnnphilippines.com

www.rappler.com

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