Smoke ban in Marlboro country should be eye-opener for Dabawenyos

The smoking ban in Marlboro country should be enough eye-opener for Dabawenyos violating Ordinance No. 043-02 popularly known as The Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance of Davao City.

“The ordinance is being implemented for almost seven years now but there are still plenty of Dabawenyos violating the ordinance without even fear of being caught red-handed,” councilor Rachel Zozobrado said. Perhaps, the risk of getting cancer and other diseases caused by smoking does not scare them but here’s one that should really make Dabawenyo smokers stand up and consider their smoking habit, she added.

The State of Virginia, known as Marlboro country because it is the home of Marlboro and the location of Philip Morris’ largest cigarette factory producing Marlboro and Virginia Slims has approved a bill that will ban smoking in most Virginia restaurants and bars. The bill, which was signed by Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, will become effective December 1, 2009.

Under Virginia’s newly-approved law, smoking will be restricted to separate rooms that have their own ventilation. Exposure to cigarette smoke can increase the formation of free radicals in the body which destroy human cells. Cigarette smoke contains cancer-causing agents or carcinogens which damage important genes in the body.

“When the home state of a cigarette brand, which is earning millions from taxes and employment brought about by Marlboro, decides to restrict smoking in their public places then people should really be getting worried because this is proof that the health scare brought about by smoking is finally gaining grounds,” Zozobrado said.

Virginia is not however the first state in America to have banned or restricted smoking. Twenty-three of the 50 States, plus Washington, D.C. have banned smoking in public areas. The tobacco states of North Carolina and the other states of South Dakota, Kansas and Wyoming are still debating the ban.

“Davao has pioneered the smoking ban in the Philippines but it seems there is still a lot to be done in terms of convincing Dabawenyos to observe the law,” Zozobrado said. Despite the serious campaign of the city government to limit smoking to restricted areas, there are Dabawenyos who unabashedly violate the law, she added.

“I am appealing to the anti-smoking enforcers to please implement the law when necessary,” she said. Smoking has caused millions of deaths all over the world and if we want to protect our health and the health of our children then we must ensure that the Anti-Smoking Ordinance is properly implemented at all times no matter who gets affected.