DOH: EO on smoking ban to include ‘indoor designated smoking areas’

Department of Health (DOH) Assistant Secretary Eric Tayag on Tuesday said the soon-to-be released executive order on smoking ban will also cover designated smoking areas inside establishments.

In an interview on dzBB, Tayag said the EO will adopt a previous order from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority which apprehends violators even if they are outside public areas.

"Lumawak yung ibig sabihin ng public places, hindi na lamang ito sakop ang indoor kung hindi pati outdoor. 'Di ba yung MMDA na-TRO na nanghuli sila ng libo-libong violators sa smoke-free zones? Hindi sila pinayagan ng korte dahil yung mga nahuli nila ay nasa outdoor ng public places. Kasama na ngayon 'yun," Tayag said.

"Bawal na rin yung designated smoking places kahit indoor. 'Di ba may separate room? Wala na ring ganoon," he added, mentioning that even smoking areas in airports will also be prohibited.

"Sa airport natin may ganoon, wala na rin dapat yun," Tayag said.

Secretary Paulyn Jean Ubial earlier said President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to sign an EO on the nationwide no smoking policy within October.

Tayag said under the EO, smoking will be allowed in isolated areas and non-public places.

"Sa tabi-tabi, sa likod ng mga building na walang public," he said.

Vaping ban

Tayag said the EO may also prohibit vaping or e-cigarettes in public places.

"Ang marketing niyan ay para mag-quit smoking subalit ang kabaligtaran ang nangyayari, nagkakaroon sila ng karanasan sa paggamit ng iba't ibang uri ng vaping hanggang sa mauwi sa pinagbabawal o addicting substances," he said.

He said local government units will be given authority to release ordinances to affirm the EO and arrest violators.

Tayag said majority of Filipinos will benefit from the EO, citing the health risks of smoking and second-hand smoking including vulnerability to heart diseases, stroke, and cancer.

"Una, ang paninigarilyo ay addicting. Pangalawa, bukod sa lung cancer, ang hindi alam ng mga kababayan natin ay 'yan po ang number one risk factor sa heart disease at stroke. Akala kasi natin may kinalaman lang ang paninigarilyo sa ating baga, hindi. 'Yan ay may malaking kinalaman sa malaking kalusugan 'pag ang pinag-usapan na ay atake sa puso at ang stoke," he said.

Tayag added that "third hand smoke" is also harmful.

"Second-hand katabi mo ung naninigarilyo. Yung third-hand smoke yung naiwang usok doon. Walang naninigarilyo pero may naiwang usok doon. Halimbawa sa sasakyan, walang naninigarilyo pero may amoy, may epekto pa rin yun," Tayag said. —Joseph Tristan Roxas/ALG, GMA News