Nationwide Smoking Ban

Think twice before lighting a cigarette or cigar in red zones. Violating the ban (Is it a law?) means paying a P500 fine or doing an eight hour community service.

I have no problem with anti-smoking laws or prohibitions but don’t the smokers have the right to smoke? What right has the government possess to tell its citizens that they are not allowed even to smoke at under and overpasses? In places mentioned in the news? Why don’t they allocate smoking areas in such places?

In North America, smoking is allowed at designated areas in hospital compounds like several meters away from a building, public transportation terminals, mall courtyards and I guess even in government compounds.

What the government must do something about is to find viable solutions to stop if not to minimize air pollution. Twenty four-seven burned gas emitted from smoke-belching vehicles and factories are far worse than the smoke from a cigarette or cigar.  Quiapo where thousands of vehicles ply everyday looks perpetually hazy because of unabated pollution. 

I am not a medical doctor but smoking is not the only one that endangers public health. The stench and germs fanned from garbage dumps or from the Smokey Mountain endanger public health. Unsanitary conditions in the wet area of public markets where flies abound pose health hazards. Name others, you have them.

Why is smoking demonized? I am not saying that it is good but citizens have the right to pursue happiness through smoking; why not?

Hopefully then, Congress will enact a law stopping the tobacco-producing provinces like Ilocos Sur to pursue such livelihood and urge them to venture for alternative crop(s). Cigarette and cigar manufacturing companies should be shut down if the government is really serious in safeguarding public health from smoking.

I wonder if the president, a known chain smoker violates the ban when he smokes anywhere in the Presidential Palace, a public place owned by the people.