Cloud of death!

We commend Mr. Faivo Bartolome of the Ilocos Norte Sports Development Council (INSDC) for posting “No Smoking” signs inside the Marcos Stadium. But there are some individuals who are seriously pushing for the establishment of “Smoking Areas” in the stadium. To the INSDC: Please, junk this move!

 

To ensure strict implementation of the “No Smoking Policy”, there must be roving guards during peak hours in the stadium. Per our observation, more people are using the sports facilities in the said place from 5 P.M. to 8 P.M. During these hours, “guard visibility” is needed to deter smokers from doing their thing.

Why do we hate smoking? Read the following material from the American Lung Association.

There are approximately 600 ingredients in cigarettes. When burned, they create more than 7,000 chemicals. At least 69 of these chemicals are known to cause cancer, and many are poisonous.

Many of these chemicals are found in consumer products, but these products have warning labels. While the public is warned about the danger of the poisons in these products, there is no such warning for the toxins in tobacco smoke.

Here are a few of the chemicals in tobacco smoke: Acetone – found in nail polish remover; Acetic Acid—an ingredient in hair dye; Ammonia—a common household cleaner; Arsenic—used in rat poison; Benzene—found in rubber cement; Butane—used in lighter fluid; Cadmium—active component in battery acid; Carbon Monoxide—released in car exhaust fumes; Formaldehyde—embalming fluid; Hexamine—found in barbeque lighter fluid; Lead—used in batteries; Naphthalene—an ingredient in mothballs; Methanol—a main component in rocket fuel; Nicotine—used as insecticide; Tar—material for paving road; and Toluene—used in paint manufacturing;

Need we say more?

The American Lung Association added that the smoking of tobacco products—including cigars and smokeless tobacco—causes or worsens numerous diseases and conditions. Some products also expose nearby non-smokers to toxic secondhand smoke.

Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., causing almost half a million deaths per year. While, secondhand smoke is a serious health hazard for people of all ages, causing more than 41,000 deaths annually.

In Davao City, smoking is prohibited in public conveyances, government-owned vehicles, accommodation and entertainment establishments, workplaces, enclosed or partially enclosed public places, public buildings and public outdoor spaces including cemetery, markets and terminals.

People are not even allowed to smoke in public gatherings such as concerts, rallies, parades and other events. Aside from cigarettes, the smoking of any tobacco product, e-cigarettes, shishas and the like in public places is also prohibited in Davao City.

We hope that a similar law will soon be strictly implemented nationwide.

Simply put, smoking kills the smoker and the non-smoker. We really hope smokers quit their deadly vice. But if they can’t or won’t, we pray that they spare non-smokers from their cloud of death.

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BARD NOTES: Happy bard-reading to Ilocos Norte Governor Imee R. Marcos, Laoag City Mayor Chevylle V. Farinas, Laoag City Vice Mayor Michael V. Farinas, Ilocos Norte Provincial Treasurer Josephine P. Calajate, INWD General Manager John Teodoro, Dr. Miramar Bumanglag, DAR-Ilocos Norte OIC PARO Vic M. Ines, DAR-Ilocos Norte CAO Rudy Acacio and PNB Laoag Branch Manager Metty V. Guerrero.

Greeting also to the employees of AMA Laoag, DAR Ilocos Norte, DepEd Laoag, Vertext Handyphones, PNB Laoag and the residents of Barangay 6, San Agustin, Laoag City.