I have written some of the executive judges and mayors in Metro Manila to strictly enforce the anti-smoking laws in their respective halls of justice. Some have acted, others have not.
The first violators of the law are the lawyers, court personnel, and policemen who attend hearings in the courts - the very same persons who are supposed to serve as models of obedience to law and order.
I was a smoker for more than 30 years. It took me that long to realize the stupidity of the vice.
Now, I suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) which can dramatically reduce one's work productivity.
During the height of my stupidity, I claimed that I had the right to choose how to die.
Now, at a ripe age, I realize that life is too short and too precious to waste.
For reference, below is a press statement of the Supreme Court on "Office Order No. 06-2009, Reiterating the Ban on Smoking as provided for in the Administrative Circular No. 09-99 and Reiterated and Clarified in Memorandum Circular No. 01-2008A, September 30, 2009."
Smoking Now Strictly Prohibited Inside Court Premises
By Angela A. Antonio
Smokers, take note: smoking inside court premises is now strictly prohibited.
The Supreme Court has declared as “smoke-free” all its buildings, those of the Court of Appeals (CA), Sandiganbayan, and Court of Tax Appeals (CTA), all Halls of Justice, and other buildings housing the courts and the offices of the justices, judges, and court officials and employees, whether the said structures are owned by local government units, agencies of the national government or privately-owned but leased by the Supreme Court, or local government units for use by the lower courts.
Court personnel who choose to smoke may do so in open locations at a reasonable distance (five or more meters) from any building, enclosed area, or vehicle where smoking is prohibited to ensure that tobacco smoke does not enter the building, enclosed area, or vehicle through entrances, windows, ventilation or exhaust systems, or any other means.
The respective Chief Administrative Officers of the Supreme Court, the CA, the Sandiganbayan, and the CTA are enjoined to ensure that personnel in their offices shall comply fully and faithfully with the provisions of the issuance. Likewise, the Executive Judges and Presiding Judges of the first- and second-level courts are also ordered to see the implementation of this issuance against smoking.
Non-compliance by court officials and employees with the order restricting smoking inside the court premises shall be subject to appropriate administrative disciplinary actions and sanction.
In the Supreme Court, smoking anywhere inside the Court premises has been strictly prohibited after the Office of Administrative Services determined that no places in the Court could be designated as smoking areas without violating the provisions of the anti-smoking order.
(Office Order No. 06-2009, Reiterating the Ban on Smoking as provided for in the Administrative Circular No. 09-99 and Reiterated and Clarified in Memorandum Circular No. 01-2008A, September 30, 2009)
see:
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/publications/benchmark/2009/11/110914.php
