BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — A total of 41 establishments including a funeral home have been recommended for closure the Smoke-Free BaguioTask Force, due to repeated violations of the city’s Smoke-Free Ordinance, particularly City Ordinance No. 34, Series of 2017.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong who heads the Smoke-Free BaguioTask Force said the establishments were identified as repeat offenders after repeatedly failing to comply with regulations aimed at protecting the public from exposure to tobacco smoke and other smoking-related products in prohibited areas.
Magalong directed the city’s Permit and Licensing Division to take appropriate action against the establishments and implement the necessary closure procedures in accordance with the ordinance.
Located in different parts of the city, the flagged establishments include 21 night restaurants and bars, nine sari-sari stores, five restaurant-cafes, three dry good stores, two entertainment centers and one memorial chapel.
Ordinance No. 34, Series of 2017 prohibits the use, sale, distribution and advertisement of cigarettes, vapes and other tobacco products in all public places, enclosed spaces, public utility vehicles, streets, accommodation establishments (including apartments and hotels), entertainment venues and areas within 100 meters of parks, schools and churches.
Individuals and establishments that violate or tolerate violations are subject to penalties. Individuals caught smoking in prohibited areas face a fine of P1,000 for the first offense, P2,000 for the second offense and P3,000 for the third offense.
Third-time offenders may also face up to three months imprisonment at the discretion of the court, along with community service and confiscation of tobacco or vaping products. Establishments that fail to enforce the ordinance or repeatedly allow violations within their premises may be fined up to P5,000 and risk the revocation of their business permits.
He said the strict enforcement of the Smoke-Free Ordinance is part of the local government’s continuing efforts to promote public health and maintain a healthy environment for residents and visitors.
CITY TO INTENSIFY ANTI-VAPING CAMPAIGN AS CLASSES OPEN
Meanwhile, Magalong has directed members of the SFBTF to launch a more aggressive and sustained campaign against vaping in line with the opening of classes in the city.
He said efforts to enforce City Ordinance No. 34, Series of 2017 or the Smoke-Free Baguio Ordinance which covers vaping prohibition, although already being implemented continuously in the city, have to be stepped up further to make a lasting impact.
The mayor emphasized that consistent enforcement would discourage the illegal sale of vape products in the city. He said sellers would eventually realize that operating in Baguio is no longer profitable if authorities maintain a strong and sustained campaign.
“We will aim to make vape selling a non-profitable business in the city and evebtually permanently stop the operation of these sellers,” the mayor said.
The task force said recent studies had shown that although smoking incidents had declined in the city, vape use had increased especially among the teens.
City Health Services Office (CHSO) tobacco control coordinator Dr. Donna Panes said that in view of this, the city also needs to strengthen smoking and vaping cessation services, particularly for adolescents.
Public Order and Safety Division Head Daryll Longid reported that daily apprehensions and operations are already being conducted by his team and other task force members but assured the mayor that enforcement efforts would be further intensified.
Longid noted that Baguio is believed to be the only local government unit in the country without a legally operating vape shop after all such establishments were ordered closed in 2023.
He said many vape sellers relocated to neighboring areas, particularly La Trinidad, but continue to target Baguio consumers through online platforms such as Facebook, Messenger, and TikTok.
He emphasized the need for national government agencies to help regulate online sales, proposing the creation of an online reporting mechanism where citizens can report social media accounts engaged in selling vape products.
Such reports could then be acted upon by agencies like the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the Department of Trade and Industry in coordination with social media platforms.
Baguio City is widely regarded as a frontrunner in the country’s smoke-free and vape-free campaign, having implemented strict ordinances and enforcement measures aimed at protecting public health.
Just recently, the city was invited to join the filing of the proposed Smoke-free and Vape-free Bill by Rep. Krisel Lagman in the House of Representatives.
“This landmark legislative measure is a timely and necessary step towards nationalizing and strengthening the very protections that local government units like Baguio City have long worked hard to establish and sustain to protect public health and promote a smoke-free environment,” the mayor in his statement of support to the bill, said. – Aileen P. Refuerzo
