THE Civil Service Commission (CSC) is urging government agencies to strictly implement the rules on smoking prohibition inside government buildings and premises in line with the observance of National No Smoking Month this June.
CSC Chairperson Karlo Nograles said this is not just for the welfare of civil servants but of all individuals visiting government offices as well.
“Ang paninigarilyo ay nananatiling isa sa mga pangunahing sanhi ng pagkakaroon ng malulubha at nakamamatay na mga sakit, kaya nananawagan ako sa lahat ng government agencies na istriktong ipatupad ang ating polisiya laban sa paninigarilyo sa mga government premises, para sa kapakanan ng ating mga kawani at lahat ng mga taong pumupunta sa ating mga tanggapan,” said Nograles.
He reiterated the commission’s advocacy against smoking within the bureaucracy as adopted and promulgated through CSC Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 17, s. 2009 or the Smoking Prohibition Based on 100 percent Smoke-Free Environment Policy.
This measure absolutely prohibits smoking in the premises, buildings, and grounds of government agencies providing health, education, and/or social welfare and development services such as hospitals, health centers, schools and universities, colleges, among others. This means no smoking areas may be designated or established in these places.
Meanwhile, for all other government agencies not part of the aforementioned absolute prohibition, they are allowed to have one designated smoking area in their premises with the following conditions: located in an open space with no permanent or temporary roof or walls in an outdoor area; not located within 10 meters of entrances, exits, or any place where people pass or congregate; does not have an area larger than 10 square meters; and have highly visible and prominently displayed “Smoking Area” signages.
Image credits: Siam Pukkato/Dreamstime.com
Government offices urged to remain 100% smoke-free
Source: News Paper Radio
0 Comments