With air pollution further aggravated by the scorching heat of the sun, a barangay chairman urged the strict implementation of the no smoking law in public places and public utility vehicles (PUV) to spare the people from respiratory diseases and other inconveniences.

Chairman Marion de Guzman of Barangay Amihan in Project 3 made the statement after complaints reached his office that violators continue to defy the city ordinance prohibiting smoking in PUVs and enclosed places.

He said that there should be discipline at all times adding that political candidates like him should not shy away from implementing the law just to woo voters in their favor in the coming May 10 polls.

De Guzman is seeking one of the six seats for councilor in the city’s third district.

“We should not be held hostage by the wrongdoings of unscrupulous individuals. I still believe that there are more righteous people around. I don’t care if I don’t get the votes of abusive characters. I am counting on the support of law-abiding citizens,’’ De Guzman said.

Severina Quintas, a sales supervisor in a jewelry store, recounted an incident when her husband had an argument with a fellow passenger who indiscriminately blew cigarette smoke at the other passengers.

“We were going to bring our child to the doctor for severe coughing. My husband requested a male passenger to stop smoking since it is bothering the other passengers. The irate smoker told us to mind our own business,” Quintas said.

To avoid any violent incident, Quintas said that they just alighted from the passenger jeepney and took a cab to the clinic.

De Guzman stressed that such incidents should not occur if only the law banning smoking in the PUV and public places are strictly enforced by the police and government authorities.

Earlier, Councilor Dorothy Delarmente a medical doctor by profession proposed a measure amending ordinance number SP 1515 S-2005 where stricter penalties maybe imposed on the violators.

She said that her proposal seeks to arm the city government and other concerned authorities “more teeth in collaring the violators of the smoking ban in public places and public utility vehicles.”

Under her proposal, it will be unlawful for any individual to smoke, or for a person in charge, to allow smoking in all enclosed or partially enclosed public places and workplaces like bars and restaurants.