The Provincial Board of Negros Oriental has passed an Ordinance banning the use, sale, distribution and advertisement of cigarettes and other tobacco products in certain places in the province. {{more}}
The Ordinance, known as the Anti-Smoking Ordinance of Negros Oriental, seeks to safeguard public health and ensure the well-being of all its constituents by protecting them from the harmful effects of smoking and tobacco consumption. {{more}}
The Provincial Board fast-tracked the passage of the Ordinance, with Board Member Marcelo Adanza, the Ordinance’s proponent, sponsoring its passage on second reading and Board Member Erwin Macias sponsoring the passage on third and final reading, all during the same session.
Some 100 students from various universities and colleges in Dumaguete, accompanied by their teachers and administrators, showed up during the session to show their support for the Ordinance.
Dr. Henry Sojor, president of the Negros Oriental State University, noted that the Philippines is known for expensive medicine and cheap cigarettes. He noted that the cost of one pack of cigarettes in the United States is more than four times more than its Philippine price.
Amlan Mayor Atty. Bentham dela Cruz, meanwhile, said that this Ordinance is intended to promote the people’s right to breathe clean air. “This is not really directed against people who smoke,” he said. The town of Amlan is the first
local government unit in Negros Oriental to pass a law banning smoking in public places.
The second LGU to ban smoking in Negros Oriental is the Municipality of Zamboanguita.
The Provincial Board is expected to come up with the Ordinance’s Implementing Rules and Regulations before June 30.
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