Nationwide Smoking Ban: Yay or Nay?

ILLUSTRATOR War Espejo

President Rodrigo Duterte has finally signed an executive order that will enforce a nationwide smoking ban a few months after he voiced out his desire to do so. The smoking ban will take effect 60 days after information on the executive order is publicly released so we can expect the new regulation to be strictly implemented sometime in July.

So far, a gist of the smoking ban prohibits the following:

1) Smoking in enclosed public spaces and public conveyances except in designated smoking areas

2) For “persons-in-charge” to allow, abet or tolerate smoking in places not designated for smoking

3) For a minor to buy, sell, distribute or smoke tobacco products. Exposing minors to tobacco in any way such as selling them products or asking them to light cigarettes is also prohibited

4) Selling or distributing tobacco products within 100 meters of public places frequented by minors especially at schools, parks, playgrounds and the like

5) Advertising tobacco products within 100 meters of public places as mentioned above

Meanwhile, here’s what Twitter users have to say about the approval of the smoking ban. Most were in favor of the new regulation:

I strongly support #SmokingBan nationwide ???? . 2nd hand smoking is a serious matter. It has a triple effects in our health.

— RonnieLiang (@ronnieliang) May 19, 2017

Best news of the day! Nationwide #SmokingBan is now official!

— °MsLou (@malouvesyou) May 18, 2017

#smokingban tama lang yun, ano bang mapapala mo sa sigarilyo ????????????????

— Fredric (@freedricc_) May 18, 2017

While only a few seemed to object:

Omg pano na? #NationwideSmokingBan #SmokingBan https://t.co/1pgfXlnrvl

— d'faithful Bottom (@UnfaithfulBot) May 18, 2017

Some remained skeptical:

#SmokingBan is real, sumunod nmn kaya ung mga smokers nation wide? hmm.

— Gabe Shawn Bishop (@AlienBorito) May 18, 2017

#SmokingBan ???? — Okay? Tapos? https://t.co/v3jBMVyaZx

— ???? (@tinimanalo) May 18, 2017

While others had related suggestions:

I support the EO on smoking in public places. I just wish it wasn't restricted to just humans. https://t.co/m0VTqljlh3

— James Deakin (@jdeakin72) May 19, 2017

A lot were simply thankful:

Yeheey, finally! #smoking #smokingban #cigarette #vape #loveyourself #respectothers https://t.co/AChHIDbImR

— Pawee Almirante (@iPawee) May 19, 2017

Duterte signs EO on #SmokingBan. Yay!

— Lay V. (@patooeey) May 18, 2017

Super thanks Duterte! ???? #smokingban

— Gladys Santos (@glads_santos) May 18, 2017

What’s your take on the nationwide smoking ban?