18 August 2025 | News by PISD
In line with the intensified campaign of the Provincial Government to maintain a safe environment for the welfare of Mindorenos, 17 years old and below youth are now covered under legislation prohibiting the propagation of any form of smoking in public places in Oriental Mindoro.
By virtue of Provincial Ordinance (PO) No. 189-2025, PO No. 178-2024 was amended, ‘An Ordinance Prohibiting the Use, Sale, Distribution and Advertisement of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products, and Electronic Cigarettes in Certain Places; Imposing Penalties for Violations Thereof and Providing Funds Therefor, and For Other Purposes,’ passed during the 11th SP Regular Session held on March 14.
The amended ordinance states the following:
Section 5.5 – Prohibiting the selling and distribution of tobacco products and/or Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) to persons below 18 years old.
Section 5.6 – Purchasing tobacco products and/or ENDS from persons below 18 years old.
Section 5.7 – Ordering, instructing, or compelling from age 18 years old and below to use, light up, buy, sell, distribute, deliver, advertise, or promote tobacco products and/or ENDS.
In connection to this, appropriate penalties will be imposed on anyone who violates these regulations.
For first violation, the offender shall be subjected to a fine of Php 2,000 pesos, which will increase to 5,000 pesos for second violation.
For first offense, the offender will be fined Php 2,000 pesos, which will increase to 5,000 for the second offense.
Meanwhile, a penalty of Php 5,000 pesos, imprisonment for six months or longer, or a combination of both fine and imprisonment may be imposed on individuals who commit a violation for the third time or more, contingent upon the court’s ruling.