(PNA file photo)
DAVAO CITY – At least 1,722 anti-smoking ordinance violators have been arrested here from January to March this year, the city government's Vices Regulation Unit (VRU) said on Thursday.
In time for the 22nd anniversary of the anti-smoking campaign here and World Tobacco Day, VRU officer-in-charge Hernando Las said during the first quarter of 2024, the number of apprehensions increased compared to the same period last year at 1,630.
“Stop smoking cigarettes and vapes as they are not only outlawed in the city but are also detrimental to the health, not only of the user but also the public,” he reminded residents.
Meanwhile, Councilor Luna Acosta, the principal author of the amended local Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance, said the city government saw the need to revise and strengthen the ordinance.
This came after the results of a study conducted by the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC) which showed that a lot of minors frequent bars and clubs where they were discriminately served liquor and cigarettes.
“The study conducted by CADAC showed that there are children exposed to the use of tobacco as early as six years old,” Acosta said.
Mayor Sebastian Duterte said the city government would continue to back efforts in strengthening tobacco control and prevention policies and raising awareness through campaigns and programs on the prevention of tobacco-related diseases.
He also reaffirmed the city government’s commitment to promoting public health and fostering a culture of a more robust metropolis that is smoke-free. (PNA)
