Duterte, expected to sign nationwide smoking ban EO this month
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The Philippines will soon be a No Smoking Zone as Health Secretary Pauline Jean Ubial confirms that the Department of Health (DOH) submitted a draft executive order on nationwide smoking ban to the Office of the President.
Health Secretary Ubial is positive that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte will sign the Executive Order (EO) this October. The EO requires a no smoking policy in all public places, both indoors and outdoors. This means that it will be prohibited to smoke in public areas like bus terminals, parks, and even in vehicles.
This EO is patterned after Davao City’s smoking ban ordinance. The president, even during his term as Davao city mayor, is firm that smoking only brings diseases to smokers and to citizens due to second-hand smoke.
Once signed, the nationwide smoking ban may be implemented within this year.
Aside from the EO, DOH is also working on plans of amending the existing Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003.
