ORDINANCE NO. 2021-004

Summary/Additional Info:

Ordinance No. 2021-004 of Naga City, enacted on January 19, 2021, amends and expands Ordinance No. 2017-066 (which revised Ordinance No. 95-070), further strengthening the city’s comprehensive smoke-free policy. It broadens the scope of prohibited acts related to smoking in public places and introduces clearer definitions for terms such as “secondhand smoke,” “public conveyances,” and “enclosed public places.” The ordinance prohibits smoking in both enclosed and certain open public areas, including government buildings, schools, hospitals, public vehicles, terminals, parks, and workplaces. It also regulates the sale, distribution, and promotion of tobacco products near schools and youth facilities. The measure outlines the responsibilities of establishments, including the requirement to post “No Smoking” signs and to designate proper smoking areas (if allowed). Enforcement is assigned to a Smoke-Free Task Force, with violations subject to graduated penalties including fines and possible business permit revocation for repeated offenses. The ordinance aims to safeguard public health, especially that of non-smokers, by reducing exposure to secondhand smoke and promoting a healthier environment in line with national tobacco control laws.