Nationwide smoking ban to improve PH’s image

PROPER implementation of the smoking ban nationwide will help create a good impression of the Philippines for the tourists and visitors, an executive of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) said.

Following Davao City’s strict implementation of city ordinance 0367-12, or the New Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance of Davao City, President Rodrigo Duterte also recently signed an executive order (EO) to implement the smoking ban nationwide which is expected to be implemented nationwide on July 22.

The ban includes smoking in public places and for smokers to only smoke in designated smoking areas. The EO also prohibits selling, distribution, and purchasing of cigarette and tobacco products to minors. Minors are also prohibited to smoke, sell, and buy the same products.

According to DCCCII president Ronald Go, as this is already widely practiced in Davao City, it would also be a good thing if the entire country would abide by as well.

“If it’s properly implemented in such a way that of course, just like in Davao where smokers are still given areas where they can go and take a cigarette and smoke, then I think it will be good also for the Philippines as a whole. We can now market ourselves as a smoke-free nation,” said Go adding that in the future, if we proper implementation is thoroughly observed, Philippines can be like Singapore in terms

of offering cleaner air for visitors and tourists.

He said he understands that the nationwide smoking ban may affect some visitors in a negative way but generally, he believes it would have a positive impact to the Philippines particularly in terms of tourism and to a positive impression of other nations to the Philippines. JPA