Cigarette-smoke-free zones are areas wherein cigarette smoking is strictly prohibited, restricted, and regulated depending on the type of place and existing laws that govern the usage of different cigarette smoke paraphernalia.
In the Philippines, “smoking is prohibited in enumerated indoor public places and workplaces such as government facilities, healthcare and educational institutions, and facilities frequented by minors, while designated smoking areas are allowed in other public places and workplaces, including bars and nightclubs” (Tobacco Control Laws). This policy is mandated primarily under 2 existing laws in the country, 8749, or the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 and RA 9211.
This health policy targets all Filipino people to avoid secondhand smoke from burning tobacco from electronic cigarettes or the common ones. Particularly cigarette-smoke-free zones provide a healthy space for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and pregnant women. As reported by countless evidenced-based research, cigarette-free zones offer a wide range of advantages in maintaining all aspects of the health of a person. As summarized by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and American Lung Association, smoke-free environments will always (1) protect all workers and patrons from the dangers of secondhand smoke (2) reduce death and diseases associated with secondhand smoke, especially to non-smokers (3) motivate smokers to quit (4) reduce the number of people who start smoking. As of now, I can not think of any disadvantages of this health policy as it always overweighs all good than producing harm.
In our locality in Caloocan City Metro Manila, as what I have seen and experienced, this health policy is always observed especially in selected indoor public spaces and workplaces where the general population is at risk of exposure to secondhand smoke. In addition, some areas have designated smoking places but some of these areas are still near to people who can inhale the smoke from afar. Aside from this, smoke coming from these cigarettes has negative effects on environmental health.
In conclusion, there is no doubt that only smoke-free zones are the most effective and efficient way that can protect the general population from the devastating effects of secondhand smoke and thus necessitates the need for strict implementation of this health policy.
References:
American Lung Association. (n.d.). Smokefree Environments. Retrieved September 4, 2022, from https://www.lung.org/policy-advocacy/tobacco/smokefree-environments
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. (2022, May 23). Philippines Details | Tobacco Control Laws. Tobacco Control Laws. Retrieved September 4, 2022, from https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/country/philippines/summary#:%7E:text=Smoke%20Free%20Places,workplaces%2C%20including%20bars%20and%20nightclubs.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, August 4). Smokefree Policies Reduce Secondhand Smoke Exposure. Retrieved September 4, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/secondhand_smoke/protection/shs_exposure/index.htm