Philippines begins nationwide smoking ban

By Roy Ramos

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines

The Philippines implemented a nationwide smoking ban Sunday in accordance with an Executive Order signed by President Rodrigo Duterte.

The order was signed in May and establishes no smoking areas in public places -- indoor and outdoor.

Among the new actions considered unlawful are smoking, selling, or buying tobacco products by minors; instructing a minor to smoke, buy or sell tobacco products and selling or distributing tobacco products in a school or public playground.

On the first day of the ban, a local radio station reported no smokers were seen on the busy streets of the Cubao district of Quezon.

Duterte initiated a smoking ban in Davao City when he was mayor.

He vowed to implement a nationwide ban, citing smoking’s effect on his body, particularly Buerger’s disease, which causes blockages in the vessels in one’s hands and feet.

By Roy Ramos

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines

The Philippines implemented a nationwide smoking ban Sunday in accordance with an Executive Order signed by President Rodrigo Duterte.

The order was signed in May and establishes no smoking areas in public places -- indoor and outdoor.

On the first day of the ban, a local radio station reported no smokers were seen on the busy streets of the Cubao district of Quezon.

Duterte initiated a smoking ban in Davao City when he was mayor.

He vowed to implement a nationwide ban, citing smoking’s effect on his body, particularly Buerger’s disease, which causes blockages in the vessels in one’s hands and feet.