Philippines: Davao City Collects P2 Million in Anti-smoking Fines

Source from:  InterAksyon.com (TV 5) (ph)  08/18/2014

The Davao city government says it has collected nearly P2 million in fines and penalties from anti-smoking violators over the first six months of 2014, as local leaders continue to implement their anti-tobacco ordinances.

Davao's Anti-Smoking Ordinance fines violators P1,000 for first offense, P2,500 for second offense and P5,000 for every subsequent offenses. From July to December 2013, the city treasurer collected P955,500 in fines from 1,911 violators.

From January to June of 2014, the Task Force has already recorded 2,594 violators showing an increase of 191 compared to the 2,403 over the same period last year.

Dr. Domilyn Villareiz, the Anti-Smoking Task Force co-chair, expects the revenue from smoking violation to double by the end of the year. The city is aiming for "100 percent no-smoking" in public places and business establishments.

Villareiz noted with concern that violators included a number of young people, under 18 years of age, caught smoking in night spots. Some violators were as young as 13, she said.

The alarming age range of violators has prompted the Task Force to partner with the City Social Services and Development Office (CSSDO) to train Day Care teachers on how to educate the youth on the harmful effects of tobacco and smoking. Enditem