The Philippines is preparing to implement a new anti-smoking law that will be among the strictest in Southeast Asia.
President Rodrigo Duterte is set to sign a regulation that would ban smoking in public throughout the Philippines, Reuters reports. Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial told the news source that the law will expand the definition of public spaces to include both indoor and outdoor venues.
"Parks, bus stations, and even in vehicles. All these are considered public places," she is quoted as saying. Reuters also notes that designated smoking areas will be set up 33 feet away from buildings.
Roughly 17 million people smoke in the Philippines, or a third of the adult population, the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance reports. This smoking habit costs the country around US$4 billion in healthcare and productivity losses every year.
The proposed ban is part of President Duterte's nationwide crackdown on vice, which he first implemented while mayor of Davao. Duterte, whose controversial comments and brutal anti-drug campaign have drawn condemnation from around the world, became known as "The Punisher" during his 22-year tenure as Davao's mayor, the news source reports.
As city leader he banned smoking, late-night drinking and karaoke in addition to enforcing a 10pm curfew for school children and a violent crackdown on narcotics. Breaking the anti-smoking law in Davao can earn a fine of US$103 or four months in prison.
Anti-tobacco activists believe Duterte's track record means the ban will be strictly enforced throughout the country, according to Reuters. Ralph Degollacion of the nonprofit organization Health Justice Philippines told the wire service: "This is effectively a scaling up of the Davao City model. We know his track record...and given the political will in his government, we're confident that in terms of implementation he will really push it."
[Photo via The Sun]
