The Makati Health Department has strongly warned the owners of eight establishments that they will be closed down if they continue allowing patrons to smoke in non-smoking areas.

Dr. Ma. Lourdes Salud, City Health Officer, recently issued a written warning to the management of seven restaurants and one cocktail lounge located at Glorietta in Ayala Center, Arnaiz St., P. Burgos St., Dian St., and Bgy. Guadalupe Nuevo after receiving reports of violations of the Makati anti-smoking ordinance.

In a report to Mayor Jejomar C. Binay, Salud said these establishments are being closely monitored by city health inspectors and members of the city’s Anti-Smoking Task Force, which includes the police and deputized senior citizens.

Binay said the city government will not hesitate to close down these establishments if they persist in defying the ordinance despite our warning.

So far, some five restaurants have been ordered closed by the city for violating the ordinance.

“Business owners and operators in the city must realize by now that we are serious in pursuing our campaign to make Makati a ‘smoke-free’ city, and that the anti-smoking ordinance is here to stay,” Binay said.

City Ordinance No. 2002-090, better known as the “Revised Anti-Smoking Ordinance of Makati”, imposes a city-wide ban on smoking in all forms of public vehicles and in enclosed public places where persons other than the smokers may be exposed to cigarette smoke.

Since its implementation in June 2002, law enforcers and deputies have apprehended around 1,500 smokers in Makati for violating the city’s anti-smoking ordinance.

Based on the implementing guidelines of the ordinance, establishments will be subject to closure and revocation of business permit on the following grounds: (1) The management of the establishment tolerates smoking despite being classified as “smoke-free” by the City Health Department; (2) Non-provision of “no-smoking” signages; (3) Operation of designated smoking area without prior approval/clearance from the City Engineering and Health Departments; (4) Provision of ashtrays within establishments declared as “smoke-free” or “totally non-smoking areas”; and (5) Operation of defective/inadequate facilities and equipment in designated smoking areas.

Establishments such as hotels, malls, and restaurants, however, have been given the option to put up smoking areas, provided that the owners first secure permits from the City Health Department.

To date, there are some 178 permits for designated smoking areas granted by the City Health Department to five-star hotels, malls, restaurants, bars and corporate offices in the Central Business District and other areas in Makati.