By Andrea Aro
The Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Friday that smoking electronic cigarette or vape is still allowed in designated areas.
Philippine National Police (MANILA BULLETIN)
In a report from GMA News, PNP spokesperson Brigadier General Bernard Banac said: “Yung mga designated smoking area ay pinapayagan pa rin naman under the EO 26. So, kung mayroon namang smoking area, maaari namang gumamit doon ang ating mga vapers.”
Banac added that police can use Executive Order 26 or the “Providing for the Establishment of Smoke-free Environments in Public and Enclosed Places,” as their basis to arrest vape users puffing in public places.
According to PNP officer-in-charge Police Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa, arrested vapers would not be jailed or charged in the absence of clear guidelines and punitive aspects on vaping in public.
“Arrest, put them on the blotter and release them,” Gamboa added.
President Rodrigo Duterte signed Executive Order 26 in 2017, implementing a nationwide smoking ban and recently ordered law enforcers to arrest all vape users puffing in public places.
Read more: PNP insists it has legal grounds to arrest vapers despite absence of written issuance