Two non-government organizations asked local government units nationwide to enforce the often disregarded ban on the sale of tobacco products near schools and related places.
The Action on Smoking & Health (ASH-Philippines) and the EcoWaste Coalition, in a joint statement, appealed to the local authorities to strictly enforce the ban under Republic Act No. 9211, or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003.
“We call upon our local government officials, especially our city and municipal mayors and our barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan chairs, to ensure the vigorous implementation of our country’s tobacco control measures to protect the health of the Filipinos from the harms of cigarette smoking and vaping,” said ASH-Philippines president Maricar Limpin.
RA 9211 explicitly prohibits the sale of tobacco products within 100 meters from any point of the perimeter of a school, public playground or other facility frequented by minors or persons below 18 years of age.
Violators face a fine of not less than P5,000 or an imprisonment of not more than 30 days upon the discretion of the court.