The Philippine Online Chronicles

According to reports, 1,040 people have been caught violating the Metro-wide smoking ban which was implemented last week.

Of the total, 979 were apprehended by Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) environmental protection officers, while another 61 were caught by enforcers from local governments.

The MMDA project bans smoking in public venues like schools, hospitals and malls; commuter terminals and vehicles; and open areas like markets and parks. MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino added that smoking is not allowed on the streets, and in areas where food is being prepared.

The implementation of the ban was preceded by a month-long information drive wherein at least 6,470 smokers received warnings.

First offense violators are fined P500, with P1,000 for a second offense, and P5,000 for subsequent offenses. Those who cannot afford to pay have to render eight hours of community service.

Biggest cause of preventable death

A statement from the World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday noted that an increasing number of smoking bans worldwide now affects around 3.8 billion people.

However, it added that more measures are needed to cut down on tobacco abuse-related deaths.

"If current trends continue, by 2030 tobacco will kill more than eight million people worldwide each year, with 80 percent of these premature deaths among people living in low- and middle-income countries," said the WHO.

According to Ala Alwan, WHO assistant director-general for noncommunicable diseases and mental health, tobacco remains the biggest cause of preventable death worldwide, killing around six million people every year, and costing hundreds of billions of dollars in economic damage.