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Attorneys of the Philippines Legal News

Welcome to our legal news pages. Here is where we provide updates about what's happening in Philippines legal news, and publish helpful articles and tips for Pinoys researching legal matters.

No-Smoking Law To Be Implemented Nationwide

Cleaner air, healthier people.

If my memory serves me right, several laws have already been implemented to minimize the growing number of cigarette smokers in the country. In 2013, a law that raises tobacco taxes was signed and in 2014, the Philippines has signed into a law requiring tobacco manufacturers to display graphic health warnings on cigarettes packs. Aside from which, manufacturers are also required to display gruesome images of smoking's harmful effects. These laws aim to promote healthier people and cleaner air.

It is no secret that many individuals have already smoked their way to lung cancer, respiratory diseases and eventual death because of the deleterious effects of smoking. It has been estimated that an average of 240 Filipinos are dying on a daily basis due to smoking-related diseases.

This year, a law which bans smoking nationwide will be signed sometime this month. In the Philippines, Davao is the first city to implement smoking ban. Penalties for violating the anti-smoking law in Davao includes a fine of 5,000 Philippine peso or four months in prison.

To prove that smoking ban is strictly implemented in Davao,  President Duterte, then mayor of Davao City taught a man who refused to stop smoking a hard lesson. Duterte gave the man two options and one of which was to eat the cigarette. In relation to the implementation of No-Smoking Law, the Dapartment of Health (DOH) is also seeking amendment of Republic Act 9211 or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003.

Republic Act 9211

SECTION 6. Designated Smoking and Non-smoking Areas.—In all enclosed places that are open to the general public, private workplaces and other places not covered under the preceding section, where smoking may expose a person other than the smoker to tobacco smoke, the owner, proprietor, operator, possessor, manager or administrator of such places shall establish smoking and non-smoking areas. Such areas may include a designated smoking area within the building, which may be in an open space or separate area with proper ventilation, but shall not be located within the same room that has been designated as a non-smoking area.

All designated smoking areas shall have at least one (1) legible and visible sign posted, namely “SMOKING AREA” for the information and guidance of all concerned. In addition, the sign or notice posted shall include a warning about the health effects of direct or secondhand exposure to tobacco smoke. Non-Smoking areas shall likewise have at least one (1) legible and visible sign, namely: “NON-SMOKING AREA” or “NO SMOKING.”

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