Philippines: Valley Holds Anti-smoking Law Hearings

Source from:  Cebu City Sun Star (ph)  03/01/2013

Councilor Roderick Awingan is calling everyone to join the public hearing on the anti-smoking ordinance here.  
  
Awingan said a public hearing is set in March 20 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the municipal hall aiming to get the pulse of the people regarding the anti-smoking law.
 
Awingan said the hearing will put into place the areas where one can smoke and finally designate smoke free zones for the municipality.  
  
Awingan said areas declared as smoke free will strictly impose the no smoking ban.

The ordinance bans smoking in "all enclosed places in included which do not opt to declare their establishments or place as totally free from smoking and where smoking may expose a person other than the smoker to the tobacco smoke, the owner, proprietor, operator, possessor, manager or administrator or such places shall establish smoking and non smoking area. Such areas may include designated areas within the building, which may be in an open space or separate area with proper ventilation, but shall not be located within the same room that has been designated as a non-smoking-area." 
  
Awingan said the ordinance is not only for the health of all in the Valley, but will also help the thriving tourism the municipality is starting to have.
 
Awingan stressed it is time for the municipality to have an anti-smoking ordinance implemented citing the proliferation of minors seen freely engaging in smoking despite national and local prohibitions. Enditem