Will power does it

Egay Uy .

THE implementation of the President’s Executive Order No. 26 by the City Government of Cagayan de Oro has commenced on Oct. 1. Mayor Oscar S. Moreno issued Executive Order No. 102-2018 creating the Smoke-Free CdeO Task Force which is mandated to see to the implementation of the presidential order which provides for smoke-free environments in public and enclosed places nationwide. The task force is chaired by Councilor Ma. Lourdes Gaane. I sit as a member along with some others.

As announced, the implementation in Cagayan de Oro is phased for easier enforcement and monitoring. The first phase will focus on national and local government offices and compounds in the city. Even with this pronouncement, the private sector has also voluntarily put up signs in their respective businesses prohibiting smoking except in designated smoking areas.

Next, the task force will meet with business operators in the city to discuss with them the executive order and what are expected of them, e.g., on a voluntary basis put up designated smoking areas, and other provisions of the EO.  The barangays will also have a major role in the smoke-free campaign.

While EO 26 does not provide for a penalty or violations, it makes a reference to RA 9211, the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003. The penalty for violations under the republic act is from a low of P500 to P400 thousand, depending on the violation committed.  The law also provides for the cancellation of the business permits and licenses and imprisonment.

So, while the phased implementation will start in government offices and compounds, it is best to start considering quitting smoking because it will eventually become difficult to smoke outside one’s residence. In a few months, the smoke-free areas will include private businesses and other public places such as plazas, roads, sidewalks, churches, and the like.

The Smoke-Free CdeO Task Force will also take upon itself the review of a proposed smoke-free city ordinance that will be more of a local version of the campaign. This ordinance will clearly provide for the authority to apprehend those who violate it. Of course, apprehensions will be preceded by an information campaign which will continue even after the implementation phase.

The members of the task force are optimistic the smoke-free campaign will gain ground even among smokers because it will help them quit.

On a personal note, it is not difficult to quit smoking. I used to smoke three packs a day while I was reviewing for the bar exams in 1985, but I was able to kick the habit right there and then, on the very day that I declared to quit for good.

It will be easy now for me to say this but all it takes is will power.