Baguio Food, beverage establishments banned from selling cigarettes

By Shabach Joaquin

BAGUIO CITY -- Stores and establishments in this summer capital that serve food and beverage are now prohibited from selling cigarettes.

The city government warned them earlier to clear their stocks but due to complaints sellers and business owners were given an extension until March 5 which had already lapsed, according to Cecil Agpawa team leader of Smoke Free Baguio.

It had been two years since the city council approved Ordinance No.8 of 2008, the anti-smoking ordinance also known as Smoke Free Baguio campaign wherein it prohibits the use sale, distribution and advertisement of cigarettes and other tobacco products within the city and imposing penalties for violations.

The change was obvious in the city but the City Health Services Office now wants to ban selling and use of cigarettes in the city due to the effects of second hand and third hand smoke.