'Buffer zone' required for indoor smoking areas –DOH

Days before the nationwide smoking ban takes effect, a health official on Friday reminded establishments that indoor smoking areas should have a "buffer zone" to keep non-smokers from inhaling second-hand smoke.

"Sa indoor kailangan may buffer zone, may isa pang kuwarto," said Health Assistant Secretary Eric Tayag on Unang Balita.

"Sapagkat pag tumakas kasi yung usok doon [sa smoking area], pag lumabas 'yung mga maninigarilyo, sa executive order, hindi dapat malanghap 'yun ng public. So kailangan may isa pang kuwarto na tinatawag na buffer zone." 

Outdoor smoking areas, Tayag said, citing Executive Order 26 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte last May, should be located at least 10 feet away from any entrance or exit of an establishment.

The nationwide smoking ban will take effect on Sunday, July 23. On that day, establishments are expected to have signages on areas where smoking is prohibited.

However, alternative products like  vapes and e-cigarettes are not prohibited as they do not contain tobacco, Tayag said.

"Di kasama ang vaping sa EO  kasi 'di siya tobacco product, subalit may mga lokal na pamahalaan na tayong pinagbabawal na 'yan. That stays," he said.

According to Tayag, the penalties imposed by the EO on violators were derived from the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003.

"Mga naninigarilyo may first, second and third offense, hanggang P10,000 'yung [multa sa] third offense. Sa mga establishments baka matanggal ang lisensya. Yung ibang probisyon ng batas hanggang P400,000 at pagkakulong hanggang tatlong taon," he said.

On Friday, DOH personnel are set to visit establishments to disseminate information regarding the smoking ban.

Those who have questions regarding the smoking ban are encouraged to call the DOH hotline at (02) 711-1002. —Rafeea Custodio/KBK, GMA News