By Paulo Loreto Lim

The Bacolod Anti-Smoking Task Force (BASTF) fined four kiosks during the ongoing MassKara Festival for allowing customers to smoke, a violation of City Ordinance 641, which places an absolute prohibition of smoking in public areas, including schools, parks, malls, restaurants, cinemas, among other locales.

Based on the ordinance, individuals caught on their first offense will be charged P500, P1,000 on the second offense, and P2,500 or 30 days behind bars on the third.

However, according to BASTF Action Officer Ben Solilapsi, establishments cited in violation are fined P3,000.

The policy also notes, establishments that do not observe anti-smoking policies may face their business permit being canceled.

BASTF was created back in July via executive order by Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia, intended to both enforce the public smoking ban and crackdown on the proliferation of fraudulent tobacco products./PLL, WDJ