‘Apprehension of student smokers very alarming’
Iloilo City Councilor Joshua Alim said the apprehension of a number student smokers is very alarming.
The students did not seem to understand the repercussion of their actions; they should be reminded that as future medical professionals, they should know the effects of smoking to their health and their jobs, said Alim, chairman of the Iloilo City Anti-Smoking Task Force.
About 30 percent of the violators of the city smoking ordinance were students, most of them taking up medical courses, including nursing, medicine and related courses in prestigious universities in the city.
He said most of the students, who were even wearing uniforms, were caught smoking near their schools.
Some of these students, most of them females, were seen smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages as early as 2 p.m.
Alim said the ICAST has informed the deans of the schools where the students are enrolled.
ICAST is set to have a dialogue with universities and colleges to discuss the city’s anti-smoking ordinance, he said.
The students caught violating the smoking ordinance paid their citation tickets at the City Treasurer’s Office.
First time violators are fined with P500; second, P 1,000; and third, P5,000.
Since it stated its anti-smoking campaign last September 1, ICAST has apprehended 213 persons, including drivers, high school and college students, and private individuals. Several business establishments have also been cited.
Most of the apprehensions were in the City Proper area, and the districts of Jaro and La Paz.
Alim said the violators were reminded and ”lectured” by the ICAST members on the reason why they were issued citation tickets and on the cost of their violations.
Lawyer Giovanni Miraflores of City Legal Office will handle the cases against violators who refuse to pay their citation tickets.
ICAST director Iñigo Garingalao said most of the violators paid their citation tickets within three days after they were cited
He said ICAST members do not ask for on-the-spot payment for violations as this is not allowed.*
