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Smoke from bingo parlor gets in eyes of toy store clients


(Updated 3:04 p.m.) ?Smokers now need to play bingo elsewhere, as a protest started by toy store customers compelled SM Malls to enforce a ban on indoor smoking. 

More than 1,300 people have signed an online petition that compelled SM
Supermalls to move a bingo parlor at SM City Fairview in Quezon City and avoid cigarette smoke from wafting into the toy store next door.

In a statement Tuesday, SM Regional Operations manager Dennis Martel said the management has banned cigarette smoking at Bingo City and will also move the game parlor away from Toy Kingdom.

"Bingo City is due for relocation and has ceased to allow smoking in its premises," he said.

Martel noted a new air-conditioning system is being installed at the toy store and will be fully operational on April 7.

As of 12 noon on Tuesday, 1,361 people have signed and supported a petition on Change.org to protest the danger of secondhand smoke wafting towards Toy Kingdom and being inhaled by parents and children.

"The stench of secondhand smoke can be smelled even as you ascend from the elevator coming from the ground floor of SM Fairview,” said petitioner Jay Beltran, who is also an officer of the Department of Interior and Local Government.

“As you enter Toy Kingdom, you'll find that foul odor of smoke in the air as you go further the Toy Section,” he added in the petition addressed to Emily Cruz, SM Fairview assistant mall Manager.

Citing Section 5a of Republic Act 9211 or the law prohibiting smoking in all centers of youth activity, Beltran said he has spoken with the manager of Toy Kingdom and was told the problem had already been reported to the SM Fairview management four months ago

Beltran, father of two children, called on management to fix the game parlor's air vent to keep smoke from getting into the toy store.

“This, I think is an immediate concern that warrants a sincere action from the management of SM Fairview, as this will not only endanger the health of innocent children who looks at that place as their dreamland, it also poses serious health hazards to the employees of Toy Kingdom,”

However, Alan Tolentino of Pasig City, a supporter who signed the petition, said: “Why just fix the vent? Why not ban smoking in enclosed public places?”

Jelson Capilos of Quezon City pointed out: “The present setup of the two stores is a result of poor planning that endangers both adult and children with the exposure to secondhand smoke.”

Ma. Mercedes Escoda, also from Quezon City, said fixing the vent is not enough. “Hindi dapat na ang isang bingo establishment (gaming/sugalan) ay nasa tabi ng isang lugar na Center of Youth Activity," she said.

Also, Edgardo Legasto suggested another petition asking Quezon City Health Office and Engineering to inspect malls in the city if they are compliant with the smoking ban.

“I know may local ordinance version din ang QC for this,” he added.

Proper ventilation

The Quezon City Health Office is set to investigate the matter, said Medical Officer Dr. Rowell Romulo.

Citing Republic Act 9211, Romulo noted that shopping malls may designate areas for smoking and the smoking areas must have proper ventilation.

"Hindi included ang mall (under the ban)... nag-a-allow ng smoking areas," he said. "We first need to investigate, and make recommendations. Pero dapat itigil nila iyon dahil may mga batang apektado."

Under R.A. 9211, smoking is prohibited in the following public places:
  • Centers of youth activity such as playschools, preparatory schools, elementary schools, high schools, colleges and universities, youth hostels and recreational facilities for persons under 18 years old
 
  • Elevators and stairwells
 
  • Locations in which fire hazards are present, including gas stations and storage areas for flammable liquids, gas, explosives or combustible materials
 
  • Within the buildings and premises of public and private hospitals, medical, dental, and optical clinics, health centers, nursing homes, dispensaries and laboratories
 
  • Public conveyances and public facilities including airport and ship terminals and train and bus stations, restaurants and conference halls, except for separate smoking areas
 
  • Food preparation areas
Other enclosed places not covered by the ban may set up designated smoking areas, it added.

"Such areas may include a designated smoking area within the building, which may be in an open space or separate area with proper ventilation, but shall not be located within the same room that has been designated as a non-smoking area," it said.

GMA News Online is trying to contact SM's Martel to shed more light on the matter. So far, he hasn't yet replied. – VS, GMA News
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