ZAMBOANGA CITY, June 6 (PNA) -- The Zamboanga
City Police Office (ZCPO) will be strictly enforcing the provisions of
Ordinance 413, otherwise known as the Smoking ordinance, which went on to full
effect May 31, following a two-month information campaign.
“The City police is very consistent in its
implementation [of the ordinance],” Zamboanga City Public Safety Company
commander Chief Insp. Ariel Huesca said.
Since the ordinance took effect, the ZCPO have
already apprehended 15 individuals who were caught smoking in public vehicles
and areas in the central district of this city.
“These 15 individuals were given the chance,
and they were given stern warning,” said Huesca, who is also the ZCPO
spokesman.
“If they commit the same offense for violating
the Ordinance 413, appropriate action will be taken such as the imposition of
admin fines,” he added.
Ordinance 413, enacted in June 2013, prohibits
smoking in centers of youth activity; elevators and stairwells; fire hazard
locations; within the buildings and premises of public and private hospitals,
medical, dental and optical clinics, health centers, nursing homes,
dispensaries and laboratories; public conveyance and public facilities, train and
bus stations, restaurants and conference halls except for separate smoking
areas and food preparation areas.
Penalty for violators are as follows: P500 or
one day community service for first offense; P1,000 or two days community
service for second offense; P2,000 or three days community service for third
offense and P5,000 without prejudice to the filing of any criminal case or at
the discretion of the Court for fourth and subsequent offense.
On the other hand, the
establishment that allows smokers to freely smoke in “no smoking” areas and
found violating the provisions of the ordinance, will be fined P1,000 for first
offense; P2,000 for second offense; P3,000 for third offense and P5,000 for fourth
offense and revocation or cancellation of the business permit. (PNA)
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FPV/TPGJR/PR/UTB
