In line with the celebration of Women’s Week, the Local Government of San Fernando through its City Health Office and Gender and Development, conducted an orientation on Bantay-Usok Sigarilyo program held September 5 at the Heroes Hall.
Participated in by the Fernandina Women’s Federation, owners and managers of establishments in the city who sell cigarettes, GAD Focal Person Amy Catacutan said the activity seeks to strengthen the existing City Ordinance No. 2014-007 “Smoke-Free Ordinance of the City of San Fernando” which prohibits the use, sale, distribution and advertisement of cigarettes, other tobacco products and electronic nicotine delivery systems in specific places in the City of San Fernando.
She added that the city government also wants to reiterate the harmful effects of tobacco use in both men and women.
“Gusto natin iparating sa lahat ang masamang epekto ng paninigarilyo lalong lalo na yung mga kababaihan natin dahil sila ang katulong natin sa pagbibigay ng tamang impormasyon sa kani-kanilang lugar,” Catacutan said.
During the discussion, Rural Health Physician Dr. Emerito Mercado shared his bad experiences when he was a smoker and encouraged everyone to give up smoking.
“Habang hindi pa huli ang lahat, iwasan o tigilan na ang paninigarilyo. Hindi lamang ang naninigarilyo, ang pwedeng makakuha ng sakit kung hindi pati din ang 2nd hand smoker. Kung hindi kaya ng biglaan, gawin ito ng paunti-unti hanggang sa masanay ka ng hindi manigarilyo,” he said.
Communicable Disease Program Coordinator Dr. Renelyn Tungol, for her part, discussed the contents of the Smoke Free Ordinance. She explained that selling and advertising of cigarettes or other tobacco products and E-cigarettes is not allowed within 100 meters from the perimeter of schools, public playgrounds, facilities frequented by minors, health facilities and churches.
Mayor Edwin “Edsa” Santiago stressed that refraining from smoking is a key in maintaining good health because it will reduce the risk of having different diseases.
“Layunin ng ordinansang ito na mahikayat ang bawat Fernandino na iwasan o tigilan ang paninigarilyo dahil ang pagkakaroon ng malusog na komunidad ay susi sa pagiging maunlad,” Santiago said.