A LOCAL law that will regulate the sale of cigarettes to Iloilo province residents who were born from Jan. 1, 2010 onwards is planned for full implementation by next year, the Provincial Health Office (PHO) said. Dr. Patricia Grace S. Trabado, PHO head, said the task force that will be in charge of implementation has been holding meetings to plan their approach, starting with a school-based information campaign on the ill-effects of smoking. The task force also plans to reach out to parents and guardians “because if there is one member in the family who is into smoking, it will create confusion among children,” Ms. Trabado said. Under the law, those who would be liable for violations include parents and cigarette retail shop owners. Penalty is P1,500 for the first offense, P3,000 for the second, and P5,000 for the third and subsequent offenses. Other penalties include imprisonment for a maximum of six months or cancellation or revocation of business license or permit. Ordinance No. 2016-138, the Iloilo Smoke Free Generation Ordinance, intends to regulate the sale of tobacco to the so-called millennials. — Louine Hope U. Conserva

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR