A drive to strictly enforce smoking ban in public places across the metropolis is set by the authorities in the Philippine capital Manila.
![Manila to Enforce Smoking Ban in Public Places Manila to Enforce Smoking Ban in Public Places](https://www.medindia.net/afp/images/Croatia-health-law-tobacco-93115.jpg)
The Philippines has a law banning smoking in public places dating from 2003, but it has largely been ignored in a country where according to surveys 28 percent of Filipinos aged 15 years and over, or 17.3 million people, are smokers.
"We must be very strict in implementing our anti-smoking regulation," agency chairman Francis Tolentino said in a statement.
"We should transform Metro Manila into a smoke-free community."
Those caught are to be fined 500 pesos ($11), which is more than the daily minimum wage in the impoverished country, and those who cannot pay the fine will be made to do community service.
Health advocates have also repeatedly called on the chain-smoking President Benigno Aquino to lead the campaign and quit.
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Limpin said the government should go beyond its campaign and prod congress to pass legislation to raise taxes on tobacco.
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