Exclusive - Duterte Revives Campaign, Will Push for Smoking Ban in Public Places

Duterte’s war is not just against illegal drugs but also against smoking and drinking liquor in public areas.

In a speech on Monday, President Rodrigo Duterte once again mentioned his plans of making the “No-Smoking In Public Places” campaign be implemented nationwide across the whole archipelago of Philippines.

It can be recalled that the President expressed his eagerness to implement the campaign after the May 9 elections where he also mentioned his plans of banning liquor drinking in public places all over the country. In a speech he delivered during the awarding of child-friendly municipalities and the signing of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Centenarians Act of 2016, Duterte once again emphasized his vision of seeing Philippines free from smoke and liquor. He also stated himself as an example of a person having Buerger’s disease, a disease that can be obtained from smoking.

“Smoking, Buerger’s disease: that’s why walang smoking zone—balang araw buong Pilipinas na ‘to. I will not allow smoking because you pass cancer to the people who do not want it,” the tough talking President said.

The hometown of the President, Davao City, is known to be a strict when it comes to smoking in public places. Reports said that establishments in Davao city have their own smoking area which is an outdoor space with no permanent or temporary roof or walls. The city was also recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a leading example of a City that strictly implements the no-smoking policy in the country.

The President expressed his plans of making the policy be implemented nationwide once the Congress passes a law.

Meanwhile, alongside with smoking ban and liquor ban, the President is also keen on implementing curfew for minors nationwide.