Cigarette-smoke free zones have been implemented and are updated accordingly in public policy as a means of regulating cigarette smoking. This is primarily done to protect the general public from exposure to secondhand smoke and residuals left by them given the long-term health threats these pose. The Philippines has its own legislations on tobacco control and smoking - not limited to the Republic Acts No. 8749 (Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999) and 9211 (Tobacco Regulation Act of 2002), and Executive Order No. 26 - which specify and establish smoke-free environments in acknowledgement of the deaths and dangers caused by tobacco-related diseases.
The implementation of such a health policy is significant in the Philippines considering the prevalence of tobacco use among adults, with 23.8% of adults currently smoking tobacco as of the country's latest Global Adult Tobacco Survey on 2015 (Department of Health, 2020). An estimated 87,600 Filipinos die each year due to tobacco-related diseases while costing the country around ₱188 billion a year in healthcare expenditures, strengthening the need to minimize tobacco use and exposure to cigarette smoke when necessary (Department of Health, 2021). In addition to reducing the public's exposure to cigarette smoke, smoke-free policies have also been found to promote smoking cessation among smokers as well as reducing the likelihood of groups such as the youth to start smoking (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2009). It should be noted however that this policy should be implemented alongside other robust policies and programs for smoking cessation as this policy alone may encourage smoking in secluded areas, indoor private places, and homes as they do not fall under areas enforceable or designated as smoke-free environments.
In the context of our locality in Bagbaguin, Valenzuela City, the implementation and enforcing of smoking-free zones has been effectively observed and adhered to on the barangay level through the regulation of tobacco products and enforcing of smoke-free environments.
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009). Smokefree policies reduce smoking. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/secondhand_smoke/protection/reduce_smoking/index.htm
Department of Health. (2020). Global Adult Tobacco Survey: Country report 2015. Department of Health. https://doh.gov.ph/sites/default/files/publications/2015GATSCountryReport_0.pdf
Department of Health. (2021). Tobacco control key facts and figures. Department of Health. https://doh.gov.ph/Tobacco-Control-Key-facts-and-Figures