LEGAZPI CITY – To support the campaign against cigarette smoking in public places, the city government of Legazpi launched last week its website, www.smokefreelegazpi.com.

Invoking his power to promote the general welfare, City Mayor Noel E. Rosal issued Executive Order No. 14, series of 2009, requiring all government and non-government offices, public and private establishments, particularly internet cafes, to display the www.smokefreelegazpi.com signs.

The website was developed by the group of Roland Bongais, Jonathan Sadueste Ng, John Joseph Mendizabal and Maria Victoria Ogo of AMA Computer College-Legazpi.

In his message, Rosal stated that the sangguniang panlungsod of Legazpi had passed City Ordinance No. 0006-2005, otherwise known as “The Legazpi City Smoke-Free Ordinance”, on April 19, 2005 and approved by him on May 12, 2005.

“It is the policy of the city government of Legazpi to protect the populace from hazardous tobacco products and promote the right to health and still health consciousness in them,” the mayor said.

Under the ordinance, cigarette smoking in public places and public conveyances such as buses and jeepneyS is punishable with a fine ranging from P1,000 for the first offense to P5,000 or imprisonment for 10 days or both depending on the discretion of the court.

A former smoker, Rosal said that it takes a strong will power to quit smoking.

Dr. Maricar Limpin, executive director of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance Philippines (FACP), discussed “Smoke-Free Initiatives vs the Tobacco Industry.”

Limpin reminded smokers that cigarette smoking is dangerous to one’s health because it can cause lung cancer.