Vaping fanatics, listen up. Quezon City is regulating your hobby, and if you don’t follow their rules you might end up paying thousands of pesos.
The local government of Quezon City announced yesterday that Mayor Herbert Bautista has signed City Ordinance 2737-2018, which prohibits vaping in several places.
According to Rappler, vapers can no longer smoke in places of worship, hospitals, other healthcare centers, public transport, government offices, and educational and recreational facilities meant for minors.
Vapers, however, are allowed to smoke in other enclosed areas, provided that the owner of the establishment or building has put up clear and easy to understand signs that vaping is allowed, reported GMA News.
The same ordinance prohibits stores from selling e-cigarettes to minors, reported The Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Those who violate the ordinance will end up paying up to PHP1,000 (US$18.98) for the first offense; up to PHP2,500 (US$47.50) for the second; and as much as PHP5,000 (US$95) for the third. Business licenses of erring establishments will also be revoked in the third violation.
People used vaping to quit regular cigarettes, but many have taken up smoking e-cigarettes as a hobby on its own. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it’s less harmful than regular cigarettes but still contains toxic substances such as nicotine and lead.
And there are other dangers as well. In November, a teenager was hospitalized at Quezon City’s East Avenue Medical Center after his vape exploded while he was smoking it. His mouth was badly injured and a few of his teeth were uprooted.
Ouch.
