The nationwide smoking ban will take effect on July 22, Department of Health (DOH) Spokesperson Enrique Tayag announced on Friday, July 14.
DOH initially said that the smoking ban will start on July 15.
“Nagkamali kami kasi kahapon na Sabado. Nung chineck namin effectivity na nakasaad sa EO, 60 days after the publication sa newspaper of general circulation. Nung chineck namin, May 24 pa na-publish, so isang linggo pa po,” Tayag clarified.
Executive Order (EO) No. 26 or the Smoking ban was signed on May 16 by President Rodrigo Duterte and aims to establish “smoke-free environments in public and enclosed places.”
Among the provisions in the executive order is the neutral area or the buffer zone between the smoking area and the public area.
Aside from the designated smoking room, there should be another room or space where the smoke can dissipate. If that is not how the smoking areas are set up, then refrain from labeling it as such because it can be considered a violation, Tayag said.
The executive order, which was patterned after Davao City’s anti-smoking ordinance, includes public vehicles, outdoor spaces, enclosed and partially enclosed public spaces, entertainment establishments, and workplaces in the definition of “public spaces” where all kinds of tobacco products will be banned.
On the other hand, Designated Smoking Areas (DSAs) are open spaces or separate spaces with proper ventilation where smoking will be allowed. area where smoking is allowed.
