Thursday, December 23, 2010

Iloilo Anti-Smoking Drive Goes High Gear


No one will be excused from the anti-smoking campaign, be it a top government official, police or military and influential businessmen.

"I don’t give a damn whoever will be apprehended and fined." This was the vow of city councilor Joshua Alim in implementing the anti-smoking campaign to make the city tobacco smoke-free.

The city councilor said, he is ready and capable to face violators if a clash happened during the campaign.

Alim said the implementation of Regulation Ordinance 2006-150, otherwise known as The Comprehensive Anti-smoking Ordinance of Iloilo City is expected to mobilize all the city citizenry and informed them on the ills of tobacco smoke and the many diseases it may carry.

Aside from drivers of utility transport, the composite Iloilo City Anti-Smoking Task Force (ICAST) also zeroed in on students who participated in smoking adult sessions near their schools. Shopping malls, restaurants, bars, hotels and other public places are not spared from the anti-smoking drive, Alim said.

The city councilor said his advocacy against smoking had netted the cooperation of well meaning volunteers such as the Bantay Bayan, barangay officials and the media in the drive against smoking.

The task force held exhibits and counseling on Dec. 6-13, 2010 at Robinson’s Place, Iloilo City to show to the public the evils of smoking. A culminating activity was held to show appreciation on volunteers and city government officials who will go out of their way and help the campaign. (PNA) /MP

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