Following the nationwide anti-drug campaign, the Philippines may implement a smoking ban next month

(Reuters, Manila) After President Duterte took office and launched a nationwide anti-drug crackdown, the Philippines is now turning its attention to public health by preparing to strictly ban smoking in public places.

Health Secretary Rosalie Ubial revealed that a draft executive order banning smoking in public places has already been submitted to Duterte. If he signs it before the end of this month, the ban will take effect next month.

Once implemented, all indoor and outdoor public places nationwide will become smoke-free zones. Smoking will be prohibited even in parks, at bus stops, and on buses, and the ban will also include the use of vaping devices.

Authorities are reportedly planning to designate specific smoking areas at least 10 meters away from buildings.

Deputy Finance Minister Kenneth also disclosed that the government will propose higher taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products.

Public health advocates, who have long called on the government to take stronger anti-smoking measures, welcomed the public smoking ban.

They believe that, given Duterte's consistently hardline stance against what he sees as immoral behavior, the smoking ban will be effectively enforced.

According to a 2014 report by the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance, as many as 17 million Filipinos—about one-third of the country’s adult population—smoke, giving the Philippines the second-highest smoking rate in Southeast Asia after Indonesia. Nearly half of Filipino men and 9% of women are smokers.

Smoking in the Philippines causes nearly US$4 billion in losses each year

Experts noted that smoking habits in the Philippines cost the country nearly US$4 billion a year in healthcare expenses and lost productivity.

Murin of the international public health organization Vital Strategies said that if the ban is comprehensive enough, it could reduce the smoking rate by about 4%.

The ban is in fact almost a direct copy of tobacco control regulations in Davao, a city in southern Philippines. Before becoming president, Duterte served as mayor of Davao for 22 years, during which he implemented a comprehensive smoking ban there.

In Davao, violators of the smoking ban can be fined up to 5,000 pesos or sentenced to four months in jail.

According to media reports, while serving as mayor, Duterte once told a man in a restaurant not to smoke. When the man refused, Duterte allegedly forced him to put out the cigarette and swallow it.

A government spokesperson declined to comment on the report, saying only: “Overall, Davao residents and the business community support making Davao a smoke-free city. The president believes smoking is harmful to health, and this measure (the smoking ban) is intended to protect public health.”

During his time as mayor, Duterte also introduced other strict regulations, including bans on late-night drinking and karaoke, as well as a 10 p.m. curfew for children.

In addition, he pursued an iron-fisted anti-drug campaign and harsh crackdowns on criminals, and his tough actions and rhetoric earned him the nickname “The Punisher.”