129 people arrested as Tagum City intensifies anti-smoking campaign

TAGUM City--The Anti-Smoking Task Force arrested 129 violators in the last three months in an intensified campaign against smoking and vending of tobacco products in public and critical areas in the city.

In 2015, the City Council passed City Ordinance no. 703 regulating the use and sale of cigarettes and other related products here in accordance with the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003,

Based on the local ordinance, the Anti-Smoking Task Force conducted surprise inspections to stores and establishments, and series of patrolling to major areas and thoroughfares of the city along with massive information dissemination to ensure full-compliance of the local smoking ban.


From January to March 29, eight stores and 121 individuals, of whom 24 are non-residents of Tagum City, were caught violating the ordinance by either using or selling cigarettes in prohibited places. The violators were given citation tickets and a three-day period to pay the penalties charged depending on the degree of offense committed.

First-time offenders will be given the penalty of P1,000; second offense is fined with P2,500 and third or subsequent violations are charged with the penalty of P5,000. Violators who will fail to pay the monetary charges will be subjected to imprisonment from one to four months at the discretion of the court.

Included in the prohibited areas are schools and public buildings, terminals, restaurant and food chains, internet cafes, parks, cemeteries, gasoline and LPG stations, hospitals and clinics, sidewalks and city streets, among others.

In 2016, the city government of Tagum received the Department of Health (DOH)’s Red Orchid Award for its massive and comprehensive efforts to implement a 100% Tobacco-Free Environment and for complying the MPOWER Initiatives of the World Health Organization in enforcing its smoking ordinance.

The Anti-Smoking Task Force, as composed by the City Health Office, Security Management Office, City Information Office, and the Tagum City Police, among others, continuously reminds the people of Tagum to end the use of tobacco products since it bring adverse effects especially to their health. The Task Force also guaranteed the enforcement of the ordinance at all times, everywhere in Tagum. Roy Banias/CIO Tagum