WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY 2014 IN ZAMBOANGA CITY

May 31, 2014 marks this year's World No Tobacco Day as I was reminded when I saw Councilor Myra Paz' Facebook Page!

So I posted this picture in support of this advocacy!

Taken at MACY'S NEW YORK! 

What is so important about this day?

Well. after 56 days of information on the Smoking Regulation Ordinance 413 since its launching, this day marks the day of formal implementation for the this ordinance.

I heard Councilor Myra Paz (primary author) this morning at the GBPI TV 11 phone interview reminding the public on the details of this ordinance and with a call for law enforcers for proper implementation so that this ordinance would have more impact! This ordinance is in accordance with a National Law and also is concerned for your health as well as the health of the community and especially, the children (as passive smokers)! They assured that there will be the continuing education campaign related to this ordinance and when school opens, they also intend to have and information drive in school campuses.

So as a reminder, I will post again the details of the Ordinance which I copied from Councilor Myra Paz Facebook Page.

I do hope the community especially the smokers respect the non-smokers and smoke at the designated places. Fines are in order for those who violate the ordinance and smoke in enclosed places and public places including government and private offices, schools, hospitals, clinics, health centers, restaurants, airport and ship terminals as well as places of worship, among others.

And another reminder is: please do not throw the cigarette butts just anywhere, wherein, one will be accountable to the anti-littering law!

NO SMOKING CAMPAIGN IN ZAMBOANGA CITY @ APRIL 2014

One of the risk factors for Breast Cancer is SMOKING... AND it also increases the risk for other diseases such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis, lung cancer, stroke, heart disease and even, peptic and duodenal ulcers!

So when we had our CMZ B.R.A. Campaign, I was so happy to hear from Councilor Myra Paz Valderrosa Abubakar, that the City Council is now busy with the education and implementation phase for the SMOKING REGULATION City Ordinance No. 413, which she fostered.

So, for everyone especially SMOKERS, go over this post to be better aware of the penalties that go with violation of this City Ordinance No. 413!

Zamboanga City Hall Balcony Tarpaulin

Here is a message from Councilor Myra Valderossa Abubakar's Facebook and the information materials:

INFORMATION MATERIALS ON ZAMBOANGA CITY ORDINANCE No. 413, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "SMOKING REGULATION ORDINANCE OF 2013". INTENDED FOR THE LAUNCHING OF THE EXTENSIVE INFORMATION DRIVE ON THE SAID ORDINANCE ON APRIL 7, 2014, TOWARDS THE FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SAME ON THE "WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY ON MAY 31, 2014." 

PLEASE HELP PRINT AND VISIBLY POST THESE MATERIALS ON APRIL 7, 2014. 

THANK YOU VIVIENTES DE ZAMBOANGA! VIVA SMOKING REGULATION ORDINANCE!

Ciudad Medical Zamboanga and other hospitals have long been "NO SMOKING" Zones, however, for "philosophical" smokers (in other words, "mga pilosopo!"), they would still want to argue over this and check out for written policies to this effect.

It is about time for the SMOKING REGULATION Ordinance of 2014 to be fully implemented and we fully support this endeavor knowing so well that Preventive Medicine and Lifestyle Modification are the present thrusts of the healthcare community for a HEALTHY ZAMBOANGA CITY!

This is a link to an excerpt of the Daily Zamboanga Times news article entitled 
No smoking law implementation kicks off today

Ordinance 413 which regulates smoking in the city kicks off implementation today, April 7, less the penalties and fines for the first 54 days.

Mayor Beng Climaco together with Councilor Myra Paz Abubakar and other sponsors of the ordinance together with City Health Officer Dr. Rodelin Agbulos  will spearhead the launching of the information drive on Ordinance 413 after the flag raising ceremony in front of City Hall. Barangay officials within the 7-kilometer radius are enjoined to participate in the said activity.

The launching will be highlighted by the unfurling of the huge no smoking tarp at the City Hall balcony to underscore the City Government’s determination to implement the law to the letter. A similar tarpaulin set up in a billboard will also be unveiled, after which, a motorcade around the city’s central district will follow.

The information drive will end May 31, coinciding with the observance of World No Tobacco Day, which will also mark the full implementation of Ordinance 413 with the imposition of the penalties and fines for violators as provided in the said law.

Ordinance 413, enacted in June 2013 prohibits smoking in centers of youth activity such as playschools, preparatory schools, elementary schools, high schools, colleges and universities, youth hostels and recreational facilities for persons under 18 years of age; elevators and stairwells; fire hazard locations such as gas stations and storage areas for flammable liquids, gas, explosives or combustible materials; within the buildings and premises of public and private hospitals, medical, dental and optical clinics, health centers, nursing homes, dispensaries and laboratories; public conveyance and public facilities including airport and ship terminals, train and bus stations, restaurants and conference halls except for separate smoking areas and food preparation areas.

But the designation of a smoking area in all enclosed places that are open to the general public, private work places and other places where smoking may expose a person to the other than the smoker, is mandated under the law.

The ordinance likewise provides penalties for smokers as well as establishments violating the provisions of the law. For smokers, the penalties are P500 or one day community service for first offense; P1,000 or two days community service for second offense; P2,000 or three days community service for third offense and P5,000 without prejudice to the filing of any criminal case or at the discretion of the Court for fourth and subsequent offense.

On the other hand, the establishment that allows smokers to freely smoke in “no smoking” areas and found violating the provisions of the ordinance, will be fined P1,000 for first offense; P2,000 for second offense; P3,000 for third offense and P5,000 for fourth offense and revocation or cancellation of the business permit.

Other principal authors of the ordinance are former Councilor and now District II Representative Lilia Nuño and Councilors Rommel Agan and Cesar Jimenez Jr. (Sheila Covarrubias)

And I would like to share a "Smoking Regulation" sign I saw at the Four Point Sheraton Hotel in Kuching, Malaysia!

I found this sign heartwarming, with the tagline:

LIGHT UP A SMILE. Not a cigarette.

YES! Why don't we all LIGHT UP A SMILE!

AND ... Let us all be AWARE and BE VIGILANT for a healthier Zamboanga City populace!!!