La Trinidad launches no smoking campaign

LA TRINIDAD – The local government here launched last week its smoke-free environment advocacy campaign pursuant to the town’s Tobacco Control Ordinance regulating smoking, selling, distribution and advertisement of tobacco products.

Mayor Edna Tabanda, who is also chair of multi-sectoral Municipal Tobacco Control Board, urged residents and stakeholders to show their cooperation and active involvement for the successful implementation of the ordinance in order to make this municipality a healthier place to live  especially for  senior citizens and children.

Dr. Amelita Pangilinan, OIC director of the Department  of Health Cordillera Administrative Region,  commended the municipality for coming up with said ordinance smoke- free community leads to lesser respiratory cases and health diseases.

Other activities during the launching include installation of a smoke free gallery on the adverse effects of smoking, Hataw exercise and a lecture on smoke free environment by DOH-CAR, risk assessment booth for blood pressure taking, blood chemistry or screening among others, and signing of pledge of commitment by stakeholders, and unveiling of the municipal billboard on Smoke Free Environment-Tobacco Control Ordinance campaign at the municipal park.

The municipal ordinance prohibits the following: smoking in any part of any enclosed or partially-enclosed public place, workplace, public conveyance or other public place; selling or distributing tobacco products to minors; selling, distributing and advertising tobacco products in a schools, public playground or any other facility frequented by minors or within a 100 meter-radius from the same; and purchasing products from minors.

 It also prohibits using, buying or selling tobacco products by minors; placing, posting distributing any type of tobacco  advertisement such as leaflets, posters and similar materials outside business establishments and placing cinema and outdoor ads of tobacco products.

Corresponding penalties shall be meted  to violators whether  individuals  or establishments. -- Maria Aprila Cruz