Thread: Duterte orders strict public smoking ban in Philippines

MANILA -- President Rodrigo Duterte, who has overseen a deadly campaign to eradicate drug use in the Philippines, has now ordered a strict public ban on smoking and called on citizens to help local authorities apprehend smokers.
The executive order, signed early this week and made public Thursday, prohibits the use of tobacco, including electronic cigarettes, in all public spaces, even sidewalks. It also forbids anyone under 18 from “using, selling or buying cigarettes or tobacco products”.


More than a quarter of Filipinos smoke, according to a 2015 World Health Organization report, including 11% of minors.


The nationwide measure, known as Executive Order 26, is similar to the near-universal smoking ban Mr Duterte put in place in Davao City in 2002, when he was the city’s mayor. A former smoker, Mr Duterte quit cigarettes and drinking decades ago, when he was found to suffer from two rare conditions, Barrett’s esophagus and Buerger’s disease.


According to the new order, tobacco cannot be sold within 100 metres of schools, playgrounds or anywhere children might gather. Municipalities must also designate smoking areas that are far from these places, and away from elevators, stairwells, petrol stations, health centres and wherever food is prepared. “No smoking” signs are to be posted in all public places.


The order also called on civilians to join a “Smoke Free Task Force to help carry out the provisions of this order” and apprehend and charge violators.
Calling for citizens to enforce the ban raises the spectre of vigilantes carrying out their own interpretation of Mr Duterte’s strict prohibitions, as was reported during his tenure as mayor of Davao dating to the 1980s.


Violators of the smoking ban in the Philippines could face up to four months in jail and a fine of 5,000 pesos, around $100, presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said Thursday.

Full Article:
Duterte orders strict public smoking ban in Philippines | Bangkok Post: news

President Rodrigo Duterte is off his head , he'll be dead before Christmas hopefully ,

Someone should smoke Duterte

Nothing matches the zealotry of a non smoker. Akin to a born again pentecostal Christian or a crusader of political correctness. All experience the rapture.

Define public smoking?

outside your house?

In a car with the window open?

Originally Posted by blue

Violators of the smoking ban in the Philippines could face up to four months in jail and a fine of 5,000 pesos, around $100, presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said Thursday.

Talks about transcending from the absurd, to the sublime state of consciousness. It would cost the P.I. government considerably more that 5,000 Pecos to arrest, try, convict and incarcerate violators, during that same 4-month period of time. Sigh!

Originally Posted by Hugh Cow

Nothing matches the zealotry of a non smoker.

And few things match the arrogance and lack of consideration of smokers.

If they did the same in Thailand it wouldn't affect me much at all. I smoke and on weekends enjoy having a beer. But I rarely smoke in public places. Only my backyard, invetween the office building at work and if I do go out, in the designated smoking areas. I never smoke in public these days, hate being pointed at or talked about or someone wafting their hand under their nose.

How fashionable and trendy - to the extreme.

4 months in prison!
What!!!!

What about the smoking hot Flip women,are they going to be rounded up and hit with a ugly stick.

Originally Posted by Wilsonandson

4 months in prison!
What!!!!

Light punishment compared to death sentence for smoking the illegal stuff.

Originally Posted by Warwick

And few things match the arrogance and lack of consideration of smokers.

Exactamundo!

Originally Posted by Norton

Light punishment compared to death sentence for smoking the illegal stuff.

Totally absurd sentences, on both counts, especially if the "illegal stuff" is a naturally grown product.

Duterte is bang on the money, smokers are scum.

Every dictator knows it and Trump will soon do the same.