DAVAO CITY – It may soon be virtually illegal for anyone in this city to smoke inside establishments as legislators are poised to introduce an ordinance totally eradicating smoking areas here.

Vice Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte said the outdated ordinance introduced in 2002 would require an amendment to turn all establishments into zones where smoking would be banned completely.

“How can we protect our citizens who chose not to smoke but could still breathe what is being exhaled by smokers inside buildings?” Vice Mayor Duterte said in an interview with reporters.

The Anti-Smoking Task Force (ASTF) earlier told the Manila Bulletin that it intends to lobby legislators to amend the outdated but effective ordinance that has been adopted by some local government units in the country.

Dr. Domilyn C. Villareiz, ASTF chief, particularly wanted to add a provision that would remove smoking areas inside buildings and placed them outside the buildings instead.

An ideal designated smoking area would look like a compact glass room with an exhaust fan and no  chairs, making smoking an uninviting vice for anyone who would like to do it here.

“But it is better than having smoke-filled restaurants and bars or having no designated area at all,” said Hyangelo Hao, an erstwhile resident of Davao who now lives in Pasig City.