Carmona LGU Declares City as Smoke-Free Zone

The 14 barangays of Carmona City, Cavite have unanimously supported the local government’s goal to maintain the city as a smoke-free zone.

On June 7, 2024 Carmona City Mayor Dahlia Loyola and the City Health Office led the Barangay Smoke-Free Enforcers Orientation, which was attended by barangay watchmen in conjunction with the celebration of No Smoking Month.

As a token of appreciation for the meticulous enforcement of their Smoke-Free Ordinance across the barangays, the city government provided five (5) kilograms of rice to each attendee.

The anti-smoking law in the Philippines is primarily governed by Executive Order No. 26, signed in 2017, which provides for the establishment of smoke-free environments in public and enclosed places. 

This order invokes the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 and the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003 to impose a nationwide ban on smoking in all public places. 

The law prohibits smoking within enclosed public places and conveyances, whether stationary or in motion, except in designated smoking areas that comply with the requirements of the order. 

It also includes provisions against the sale and distribution of tobacco products to and from minors.

The law is considered one of the strictest in Southeast Asia, with fines ranging from PHP 500 to PHP 10,000 for individuals caught smoking in public places. 

Establishments selling cigarettes to minors can be fined PHP 5,000 or jailed for up to 30 days. 

The executive order aims to protect public health and promote measures of tobacco control based on current scientific, technical, and economic considerations.