An ordinance that prohibits smoking of electronic cigarettes and vapes in public places was pushed at the City Council.
In an interview Wednesday, Councilor Nesario Awat told Palawan Daily News (PDN) this measure is aimed at supporting President Rodrigo Duterte’s executive order (EO) banning smoking in public places nationwide.
“Alam naman natin na ang presidente ipinagbabawal niya ang pagve-vape diba. Wala naman sa EO niya ‘yon so naisip ko, kung wala sa EO ‘yon, dapat gumawa tayo ng isang ordinansa, [at] isinama na natin ang e-cigarettes para either way,” Awat said.
“Kasi nga nakalagay lang naman sa EO ng pangulo ay ‘yong [mga sigarilyo na] galing sa dahon, ay hindi naman dahon ‘yon. So in short, para wala nang legal issue,” he added.
Awat said this proposed ordinance, once approved at the plenary, will give the city police personnel the authority to apprehend anyone who smokes in a public place even while using only a vape device or e-cigarette.
He said among these public places enumerated in the ordinance are the churches, hospitals, schools, markets, and malls.
Awat said the proposed penalty for each and succeeding violations will range from P500 to P1,500.