Under EO 26, smoking in public places such as schools, workplaces, sidewalks and public vehicles is prohibited. The sale of tobacco to minors is also banned.
The EO also requires establishments to put up “No Smoking” signs that measure at least 8 by 11 inches (20.3 by 27.9 cm), with a “No Smoking” symbol occupying at least 60 percent of the sign.
Designated smoking areas should be open or rooms with adequate ventilation and must be separated from other rooms.
The Department of Health (DoH) has established a hotline for the public to report establishments violating the nationwide smoking ban.
The public may report establishments in violation of the provisions of the smoking ban through the DOH Hotline (02) 711-1002.
DOH Assistant Secretary Eric Tayag clarified that only establishments and not private persons can be reported through the hotline.
“There are many asking if they can report a person. That will be hard because it is a matter of whether they smoked or not,” he said.
“What you will report to us when we receive the call, is the time when you saw the violation, the exact establishment and address. We will collate that and it will be sent to the local government through the DILG, since we had arranged the matter. The next step will be to them,” Tayag added, referring to the Department of Interior and Local Governments.
He also appealed to the public not to abuse the hotline that may affect the smoking ban implementation.
“We are asking the public to not let the hotline go to waste using false reports, malice, revenge or any other reason. They should only report the truth,” the health official said.