Philippines: Anti-bullying Authorities in Metro Manila to Keep Eye on Students Who Smoke

Source from:  GMANews.TV (ph)  06/17/2013

As part of their efforts to curb bullying at school, education and health authorities will be keeping watch over students smoking cigarettes at school.

Some school bullies have been reported to use cigarettes to torment and harm their victims, radio dzBB's Mao dela Cruz reported.

The report said the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority will keep watch over such students in schools in the metropolis.

It will coordinate its efforts with the Departments of Education and Health.

A separate report on state-run Philippines News Agency said smoking may not only be an unhealthy practice, but could be one way school bullies torment other students.

The PNA report cited cases where bullies "blow smoke on a student's face or use the cigarette's lit butt to wound them."

The PNA report said public smokers will face a P500 fine, with those who cannot pay the penalty being made to render eight hours of community service.

Personnel from the MMDA, DepEd and DOH will check on vendors and sari-sari store owners if they sell cigarettes near schools.

They will also conduct information drives in schools against the dangers of smoking. Enditem