Philippine president Duterte’s next campaign: public smoking ban

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is turning to another battle aside from illegal drugs: smoking.

Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said Tuesday she hopes the president can sign the draft executive order banning smoking in public nationwide before the end of the month.

The department is pushing for the ban to start before the law providing for graphic health warnings on tobacco products is fully implemented on November 4, Ubial told a Senate budget hearing.

Duterte ordered a 100 per cent smoke-free environment in public places similar to Davao, the southern city where he was formerly mayor, she added.

Designated smoking areas are to be outdoors and away from the public, and provinces and towns will be asked to issue ordinances to enforce the smoking ban and set penalties. She also said e-cigarettes will be included in the ban.

“There will be no smoking in public places anymore, whether indoor or outdoor,” Ubial earlier told reporters. “Parks, bus stations, and even in vehicles. All these are considered public places.”