Metro Manila, Philippines Adopts GIS Technology To Review Tobacco Licenses And Strictly Control E-cigarette Sales
Leave a message
Metro Manila, Philippines adopts GIS technology to review tobacco licenses and strictly control e-cigarette sales
The Metro Manila region of the Philippines will use the Geographic Information System (GIS) to review permits and licenses related to the sale of tobacco products to ensure that tobacco and e-cigarette sales points are away from schools, playgrounds and other facilities frequented by minors.
According to the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on January 14, the Metro Manila Commission (MMC) of the Philippines has approved the use of the Geographic Information System (GIS) to review permits and licenses related to the sale of tobacco products in the National Capital Region (NCR).
On Tuesday (14th), Romando Artes, chairman of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), said in a statement that Resolution No. 24-31 aims to ensure that the sales points of tobacco and e-cigarette products are not near schools, public playgrounds or other facilities frequented by minors. This strategy supports the tobacco control and e-cigarette policies of local government units (LGUs) in the National Capital Region.
Romando pointed out that "local government units must enact regulations that prohibit the sale of cigarettes and e-cigarette products by mobile vendors, as these mobile vendors are able to circumvent laws that prohibit the sale of such products in specific areas." He added that the application of GIS technology will provide local government units with "accurate and efficient means" to ensure that sales locations are verified before issuing business licenses.
Under the Tobacco Control Act and Republic Act No. 11900, the sale of tobacco and e-cigarette products within 100 meters of schools, playgrounds and other youth activity areas is prohibited. The new resolution stipulates that businesses located within the 100-meter restricted area will be notified and given a "reasonable time" to remove cigarettes or e-cigarette products from their inventory.
The resolution states that "any business that continues to sell tobacco and e-cigarette products in the restricted area will face penalties, including fines, product confiscation or revocation of business licenses."
It is reported that the Greater Manila area is a special development and administrative area in the Philippines, covering eight cities and nine municipalities, and is directly supervised by the President of the Philippines. Matters related to the area that have citywide impacts, transcend local political boundaries or involve huge expenses are managed by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
