Balanga City intensifies “No Smoking Ordinance”

BALANGA CITY, Bataan – In 2008, according to City Councilor Jett Nisay, the City Council passed an ordinance on anti-smoking and since then, they have focused on the program. Now that they have intensified the program, Balanga City is now on a “test case,” a tobacco case in court.

Despite the legal case that the city government is facing in court filed by the Philippine Federation of Tobacco companies, the city officials headed by Mayor Francis Garcia, are all committed to push their fight against smoking. They are firm in initiating pro-active programs and undertaking reforms that will promote the health and safety of the residents.

City Councilor Nisay reiterated that they have amended ordinance no.20 series of 2010, otherwise known as the Comprehensive No Smoking Ordinance of Balanga City as amended Ordinance no. 4 s-2013, further improving the standard protection and promotion of the health of Balangueños and their families against the harmful effects of tobacco, tobacco related products, advertisements and other purpose.

Said ordinance prohibits the selling and distribution of tobacco products in schools, public places and playgrounds and other facilities frequented by minors within 100 meters from any point in the perimeter of these areas.

To further strengthen the comprehensive program on anti-smoking, Councilor Nisay said, that they passed another ordinance; City Ordinance no. 16 series of 2016, the Tobacco Free Generation End Game Strategy Ordinance of Balanga City. Based on this ordinance, members of the Tobacco FREE Generation are persons born on or after January 1, 2000 in the city of Balanga. To further protect the health of the people, the ordinance likewise regulates the sale of tobacco to all Balangueños born on or after January 1, 2000; strongly encouraging and promoting the new tobacco-free generation in the city of Balanga.

This ordinance is a novel preventive measure against tobacco abuse and harmful effects to potential future generations.