A town councilor in the eastern Misamis Oriental municipality of Medina is pushing to review and implement a local smoke-free ordinance that he claims has not been enforced since it became law in 2011.
Councilor Arthur Cahoy wants to revisit the local law after learning it has allegedly not been implemented for a long time.
"The ordinance really needs to be revisited and reviewed," Cahoy said after being shown a copy of the town's smoking ordinance.
Sangguniang Bayan (SB) Secretary Edan Mark Vosotros confirmed in a phone call that the town has an approved local law, Ordinance No. 673-2011, or “the Smoke-Free Ordinance of the Municipality of Medina.”
Vosotros confirmed the law became effective in 2011.
Vosotros said the ordinance prohibits smoking in all public areas, including markets, crowded places, and all types of passenger vehicles.
Upon learning the town has the local law, Cahoy said he will pass a resolution in the next session to officially revisit the ordinance. He pointed out that the law must be given attention so it can finally be implemented.
Councilor Esmael Naguib, Jr., vice chairman of the Sangguniang Bayan Committee on Health, agrees with revisiting the measure.
Naguib said he will support the ordinance’s review to protect the general public, “especially children, pregnant women, and senior citizens against smoking.”
He also insisted the law “must be implemented.”
Cahoy suggested it would be better to revisit the ordinance “so that we can review if there is anything that should be inserted or added.”
He said he will propose amendments to strictly regulate establishments that provide smoking areas. This includes groceries, restaurants, eateries, and beach resorts.
Cahoy also said government properties like public markets, plazas, parks, municipal buildings, entertainment venues, gyms, and covered courts must have designated smoking areas.
