Smoking guns for nicotine addicts

Davao City is a few notches away to take centerstage again and finally grab that Hall of Fame status for achieving a 100% nicotine-free LGU. For two consecutive years since 2010, this city has been a recipient of the Red Orchid Awards as conferred by the Department of Health during the annual World No Tobacco Day.

Dr. Domilyn Villareiz, co-chairperson of the city's Anti-Smoking Task Force, knew for sure our secret. She divulged it in an interview during the weekly I-speak forum hosted by the City Information Office of city hall. “It’s political will”, she said. True, this city could not have reached the attic of success in law enforcement without strong fists behind it. Ours is the world’s biggest city in terms of land area with a population ready to bloat anytime. Law enforcement thus is illusive for some as an uphill climb traversing through huge rocky boulders.

What is even more interesting is that some of those tasked by law to enforce the Anti-smoking ordinance, like the police and members of the Anti-Smoking Task Force, are nicotine addicts themselves. No need for breather tests, they claimed witnesses everywhere and such addiction is already within public knowledge. But it would be just fine, not without rhyme and reason if they will initiate instead to convince people to quit smoking. Dr. Villareiz is on track of a new campaign about “model enforcers” for the city.

The sale of cigarette is not beyond the commerce of man. One can buy it and the other is free to sell it. What do you do with an unlighted cigar? It could only serve its purpose if smoked. In an accommodation or entertainment establishment, ash-trays should not be seen messily anywhere to the pretext that smoking is allowed in an area not designated for smokers. Owners of the establishments must know where to strike the balance. Who are we protecting in this anti-smoking law? Those that will benefit are the non-buyers of cigarettes, the non-smokers not because they are health-conscious but because nobody should impair their rights to breathe clean or unpolluted air.

The rigid implementation of our Anti-Smoking laws has not been an affront to our tourism industry. In those days where foreign nationals caught on television while being apprehended for smoking within the vicinity of the Davao City International Airport has not slowed down the influx of local and foreign tourists coming in. The record will speak for itself. That instead was an opportunity to send a message across that our enforcers did not knell to the whims and caprices of the few. Is it not a perfect selling point for the city with its unbending attitude to treat everybody fairly and equally?  Note, to unilaterally prohibit cigar smoking is too remote to happen for as long as its sale will not be declared illegal.

But the law can be harsh for smokers in some manner, though indirectly. The sin tax measure to restructure taxes on cigarettes and liquors has just been approved by lawmakers in the lower house. It is good as passed since it is no other than President Noynoy Aquino himself called for its urgent passage. Sometime in May, this year, during the recess in the House of Representatives, I had interviewed Congressman Isidro Ungab in a downtown restaurant. Rep. Ungab as the Ways and Means Committee Chairman has considered the passage of sin tax a high legislative priority. He said, the government foresees a big haul in the revenue next year which would amount to Php 60 Billion if this reformed tax measure is passed.

These vices therefore on smoking and drinking are on the nook just to be called as luxuries. Imposing an increased tax necessarily affects the prices. But the Law on Supply and Demand is one thing the legislature cannot repeal. If the demand for cigarettes in the market decreases, we could claim success in government’s campaign against cigarette smoking. But the government’s expectations on a Php 60 Billion from sin taxes would just fail. There is this smoking gun for the nicotine addicts. Smoking is just a dying ember in our society, especially when our government is sincere over the implementation of our law. Davao City takes the exception because under its political will, it can minimize, if not cut the craving for a puff because smokers are entitled to good health and protection, too.