About 4,000 individuals were caught violating Iloilo City’s anti-smoking ordinance in the first half of 2025.
According to Iloilo City Anti-Smoking Task Force (ICAST) executive director Iñigo Garingalao, their personnel fined more than 3,000 individuals, while city police units apprehended over 1,000 violators.
In an interview with IMT News, Garingalao reiterated that the ordinance is anchored on protecting public health, not punishment.
“This is about your health—not about being caught by ICAST,” he stressed.
Of the violators from January to June this year, 20 were minors caught smoking or vaping near schools.
Garingalao noted that many parents are unaware of their children’s involvement in the habit.
ICAST promptly forwards the names of student violators to their respective schools and to the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s crisis intervention unit. Parents are summoned by barangay officials for counseling and potential intervention.
Garingalao also urged schools, in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd), to adopt stricter anti-smoking and anti-vaping policies on campus.
Meanwhile, several establishments were fined after cigarette butts were discovered in their premises—a violation that could result in closure for repeat offenses.
However, Garingalao clarified that most businesses remain compliant.
Under Regulation Ordinance No. 2013-348, violators face a P1,500 fine and community service for the first and second offenses, with potential 3–5 day imprisonment. For third and subsequent violations, the penalty increases to P5,000 and up to 10 days in jail, at the court’s discretion.IMT
