QC HALL SET TO IMPOSE SMOKING BAN

The Quezon City government will strictly implement a no-smoking policy within the QC Hall complex to include city-paid workers among the targets in preparation for a massive anti-smoking campaign in the city.

City Health Department Head Dr. Antonietta Inumerable has warned city hall employees and visitors to properly observe Republic Act 9211 otherwise known as Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003 and Civil Service Memorandum Circular No. 17 S 2009 and SP - 1515

Inumerable said that anyone caught smoking at the city hall complex, particularly in non-designated smoking area, will be apprehended by authorities and will be penalized or fined in accordance with the law.

City hall employees who will be apprehended will be reported to City Personnel Department particularly for violation of Civil Service Commission (CSC) Circular No. 17 S 2009.

To date, Inumerable reported to Mayor Herbert M. Bautista that the anti-smoking campaign under “Oplan Sita” at city hall alone has already apprehended a total of 504 in 2011, where 254 were city hall employees and the rest were visitors.

In 2010, the Oplan Sita had a total apprehension of 1,027 at the city hall complex alone, according to Inumerable.

City hall authorities have declared an area in the football field beside the city hall high rise building as the designated smoking area.

Other moves being implemented by the QC government in coordination with the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) under the agency’s campaign for 100% Smoke-Free Environment Policy and the G7 initiative led by the University of the Philippines College of Law Development Foundation Inc. under “Greater Teeth and Tools for the Enforcement and implementation of Tobacco Regulation Act Project” were the conduct of seminars and orientation for better understanding and information dissemination on the RA 9211; establishment of smoking cessation counseling clinic; and close coordination with private companies such as SM malls for proper designation of non-smoking areas and smoking areas within their premises. Maureen Quiñones, PAISO