Department of Health Secretary Dr. Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial announced that the final draft of the executive order for the implementation of a smoking ban nationwide is now at the desk of President Rodrigo Duterte, for his signing and approval.
On Tuesday, during the press conference held at the Royal Mandaya Hotel, Dr. Ubial said that hopefully, the EO on the anti-smoking will be signed by the President this week.
Sometime on October 2016, President Duterte warned smokers that he will issue an executive order banning smoking in public nationwide, taking after the anti-smoking ordinance already implemented in Davao City
“The Executive Order for a 100 per cent smoke-free public places and public conveyances is already at the President’s desk,” said Secretary Ubial. “ Although there have been several changes of drafts because of the marching orders from the President that it should be like the ordinance in Davao, the President’s legal team decided that it cannot be applied nationwide because there are laws and provisions that the DOH have to review in terms of implementation.”
After the signing of the executive order, DOH will be tasked to make the implementing rules and regulations and after the publishing of the IRR, the EO will be effective after 15 days.
The DOH also continues its campaign against smoking by having talks with the Department of Education on integrating the said call in teaching values to children. They are also working with other sectors like transportation sector and in the hotel and restaurant businesses advising them that they should not mix the smokers and nonsmokers in one area.
