Negros town removes cigarette ads from establishments

A town in Negros Oriental province in Central Visayas has been tearing down cigarette ads in commercial establishments in compliance with an ordinance against smoking.

Since the anti-smoking campaign began in late March, Zamboanguita town mayor Kit Marc Adanza has been leading enforcers in removing stickers and posters promoting cigarettes, the news site Visayan Daily Star reported on Monday.

The Visayan Daily Star report said billboards along the town highways showing smoking were also removed.

Enforcers including Zamboanguita police head Inspector Teodorico Picardal went to Sitio Mohon in Maluay village (between Dauin and Zamboanguita) and Sitio Salngan in Mayabon village (between Siaton and Zamboanguita).

Before taking down the ads, the enforcers explained to store owners the smoke-free advocacy campaign of the town.

Zamboanguita town passed its Smoke-Free Ordinance No. 15 in 2009. It is a slightly modified version of Amlan town's pioneering anti-smoking ordinance.

Under the ordinance, violators face a reprimand for the first offense, P500 for the second offense and P1,500 for the third offense.