On its first day of implementation, 249 people were caught violating the no-smoking drive of the Metro Manila Development Authority on Friday, an MMDA official said. Loida Alzona, chief of Plans and Programs Development said the violators were caught smoking in public in the Monumento Light Railway Transit, Farmers Plaza in Cubao, POEA in Ortigas and EDSA Taft Metro Railway Transit. The MMDA and the Metro Manila mayors have agreed to ban smoking in public in the entire metropolis. First-time offenders will be issued Environmental Violation Receipts and a fine of P500. Those who cannot pay will render eight hours of community service. Second time violators will be fined up to P5,000 or 16 hours of community service. Those caught for the third time will be fined with as much as P10,000. Those who do not settle their EVRs will not be allowed to apply or renew their National Bureau of Investigation clearance. They may also face court charges. Source:- http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/20388/249-smoking-violators-caught-in-metro-manila
Luckily I quit smoking now. Six months already and not a single puff. Those penalties do seem a bit severe though.
I need to clean my glasses... First time I glanced at the thread title on this one. It read "249 smoking vibrators caught in Metro Manila" Though that would have been a far more interesting read
Yeah, slightly on the harsh side...... I would have thought a bit of a telling off, would have done wonders, but now there will be resentment and discontent breeding. Regardless of how much of notice was given, it is still unfair, in my view, to dish out such stiff fines to people at so an early stage.
for me.. it is just right...it the same penalty with jaywalking violations... Davao mayor started it and it worked! made the air cleaner as well... at least the people will only have to deal with smoke belching.. and i do hope this smoking ban would not just work for only a few months.. and then back to the old ways..
Hang on, yes I think we all agree that smoking is a danger to public heath but come on, Metro Manila the land of untuned diesel engines spitting out vast amounts of particulates that coat every building in a dirty grey black sludge and everyone's lungs in the same nanoparticle cancer inducing crud! This is the country where the roads are so congested that the air is full of unburned hydrocarbons, and what about the factories? what kind of clean air legislation is in place for the factories or for the disposal of industrial wastes? Let's face it, it is a hugely polluted mess and banning smoking in public is not going to make one iota of difference to public health in the Phils. As a non smoker I welcome it but haven't they got their priorities wrong somewhere. Anyway people were smoking outside our friends pub in Paranaque the other night totally unaware of this ban.
Just caught this thread again from the corner of my eye and yes it did look like vibrators gave me a good giggle for a minute or two.
I'm never going to specsavers again... I have an allergy to most metals and the steel screws they had in the rims of their "non allergenic" glasses I bought peed me off no end... Especially as I can't wear them!!! Off to Boots next time.
On top of cash penalties against violators, the Task Force will strengthen its operation against violators and amendments to the existing ordinance will cover imprisonment or community work, announcement of their names in the media, police blotter report, and/or hauling them to court to prove their guilt. The violators will also have a record at City Hall that may deter them to get clearances for job opportunities.
All this for having a ciggie...??? Now I know for a fact that someone needs having his brains examined..
thats good to know from you my friend To be an ex-smoker means that you feel in control of your life again, with each passing day you feel this strength growing inside you because you did it, you finally did it. It means that your clothes don't smell anymore, your fingers are not yellow, your friends don't leave the table as they used to do when you reached for a cigarette, you don't have to have a constant supply of mints and breath freshener in your bag, the ashtray in your car looks unused, you don't accidentally make holes in your sofa or carpet anymore. And believe it or not my cat used to leave the room every time I smoked. He cuddles up with me now and just for that it is great to be an ex-smoker.:vhappy:
