Published in the Negros Daily Bulletin newspaper on July 21, 2017

Talisay City is ready to implement the nationwide ban on smoking set on Sunday, July 23, 2017. In its weekly session, City Councilor Randy Ereneta pushed for the passage of the city’s Comprehensive Smoke Free Ordinance in support of the national government’s Executive Order No. 26 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on May 16, 2017 that bans smoking in all public places. Said ordinance covers as well Civil Service Commission laws and Executive Orders that prohibit provision and selling of tobacco products to minors.

TALISAY SMOKE BAN ORDINANCE. Talisay City Councilor Ivan Randy Ereñeta reviews the Comprehensive Smoke Free Ordinance which he pushed for passage in the recent regular session of the city council.*

“We are talking about health programs, so we should not have any borders with regards to health. That is why I am appealing for the cooperation of the good people of Talisay. We can exercise our freedom to smoke in our private homes but not in public places. Let us respect each other in such a way that we don’t also cause harm, so to speak, to our fellow Talisaynon.”

Ereneta, who is chair of the SP Committee on Health and Nutrition, is set to conduct committee hearings and public consultation to reach a positive consensus relative to the imposition of the smoking ban including identification of areas. Hinting that the penalties are a bit “harsh”, Ereneta implies that prior consultation is imperative and the city is open for the revision of some salient provisions of the ordinance.

“I am open to some revisions to the ordinance. The committee shall hear inputs from our public on how we can reduce the penalties,” Ereneta added.

Executive Order No. 26 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte last May 16, 2017 imposes a fine of P 500.00 to P 10,000.00 for those who smoke in public places and a fine of P 5,000.00 to imprisonment of up to 30 days on those who give or sell tobacco products to minors. Licenses and business permits of erring establishments may be revoked by corresponding local government units.

A Smoke-Free Task Force to be chaired by City Mayor Neil E. Lizares III will be created to monitor the strict enforcement and implementation of the smoking ban.

The task force will also be composed by representatives from the City Health, City Legal, Public Information Office, Business-Permits-and-Licensing, Treasurer, Environment and Natural Resources Office, PNP, DepEd, CHED, PESO, DSWD, City Administration, etc.*