No Smoking in Metro Manila starting Monday, May 30 - MMDA

I have smoked a lot of times. Even started selling Gudang Garam in Diliman for Php10.00 that time. Even brought the "good" hash from The Netherlands and made rolls of it. But I quit smoking when I've found out I was pregnant to our first born and so for a decade now, I would say I've been clean living- no smoking, no alcohol because I have also been a lactating mother since my second son was born. Breastfeeding for 8 years.

But this January, I said , during my so called Renaissance period, I would go back to my old self. Attend events, smoke and drink. I did, felt more thrilling, but I put it to a halt after my MMC nd FEU ER stories.

I QUIT! And what best way to be firm with it? The LAW.

Starting Monday, May 30, 2011, "No Smoking" laws will be strictly implemented, according to the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced that starting Monday (May 30), the agency and the 17 local government units (LGUs) of Metro Manila will start apprehending smokers who will be caught puffing in public places and in all major and secondary roads of the metropolis.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said MMDA and LGU health and environmental sanitation officers, usually accompanied by policemen, will round up smokers caught violating the provisions of Republic Act 9211 or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003, and the smoking prohibitions of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and all local ordinances and issuances.

Violators will be fined P500 on first offense while those who cannot afford to pay the fine are obliged to render an eight-hour community service.

The MMDA- LGU partnership in the enforcement of an intensified no-smoking policy within Metro Manila coincides with the observance of the 100% Smoke-Free Environment campaign on Monday and the World No Tobacco Day celebration on June 1, 2011.

Tolentino, together with the 17 Metro mayors and LTFRB Chairman Nelson Laluces, will officially launch the 100% Smoke-Free Metro Manila also on Monday in simple rites at the MMDA headquarters in Makati City where the local chief executives will jointly sign a commitment contract affirming their participation and sustained enforcement of the Tobacco Regulation Act with the end-goal of achieving a smoke-free Metro Manila by 2012.

Thank you MMDA.

But I would say the best way to QUIT is dependent on your mind set!