MANILA -- A nationwide smoking ban for public places took effect in the Philippines on Sunday with the government urging the public to cooperate with the measure aimed at protecting public health. "This (smoking ban) is another milestone where the government gives priority to the right to protect public health," Abella added. The ban, which Duterte approved in May, declared all public places throughout the country as off limits to smoking, whether indoor or outdoor. Smoking areas cannot have openings that will allow air to escape, except for a single door equipped with an automatic closer. He imposed a similar ban in the southern City of Davao, where he served as mayor for decades.

Source: The China Post July 24, 2017 05:03 UTC