Bill seeks nationwide smoke-free, vape-free public spaces

Public health and children’s rights groups on Thursday discussed a proposed law that would make public spaces and workplaces nationwide smoke-free and vape-free.

House Bill 9306, or the proposed Smoke-Free and Vape-Free Environment Act, was filed on 1 June 2026 by Albay 1st District Rep. Cielo Krisel Lagman.

The measure seeks to remove indoor smoking and vaping areas, expand restrictions in public places, establish local tobacco-control funding, create anti-smoking and anti-vaping task forces, and impose higher penalties.

“This [bill] is not a radical concept. Many LGUs already have these smoke-free policies,” Lagman said.

She cited Baguio, Tabaco, Balanga, Iloilo, Davao and Butuan as among the local governments already implementing smoke-free policies.

Lagman stressed that the bill does not seek to ban smoking or vaping outright, but to keep public places and workplaces free from smoke and vape aerosol.

Under the proposal, designated smoking and vaping areas would be allowed only in open outdoor spaces without roofs or enclosed walls and must be at least 10 meters away from entrances, exits, windows or areas commonly used by pedestrians.

Such areas would also be prohibited in public conveyances and within 100 meters of schools, playgrounds and other places frequented by minors.

Only one designated smoking and vaping area would be allowed per building or establishment.

The bill also proposes the creation of smoke-free and vape-free task forces in every province, city and municipality, headed by the local chief executive and co-chaired by the local health officer.

At least 3 percent of an LGU’s local health budget would be allocated to the task force.

Persons caught smoking or vaping in prohibited areas could face fines ranging from P5,000 to P20,000 depending on the number of offenses.

The Department of Health, Department of the Interior and Local Government and LGUs would be tasked with implementing the law and assessing local compliance.

The Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development said the bill is expected to be discussed by the House Committee on Health next month.

The group said consultations with affected sectors and stakeholders would continue as supporters push for the measure’s passage.

Public health advocates said existing local ordinances could serve as proof that smoke-free and vape-free policies can be implemented nationwide.

Deliberations, communication efforts

The Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD) acknowledged that there will be future discussions and debates in the House Committee on Health about the bill, expected next month.

The group of legislators noted that the concerns of affected sectors and stakeholders are being taken into consideration.

“Every step of the way, we used the questions, the concerns, until the 20th Congress has unity and can build unity to pass this,” PLCPD Advocacy and Partnerships Manager Angelica Reyes said.

“Hopefully, this [bill] will be the legacy of the 20th Congress, to give us a healthier environment for Filipino adults and children [in public spaces],” she added.

The PLCPD, meanwhile, said it will continue in expanding communication campaign efforts to strategize and communicate with the public in understanding the smoke-free and vape-free policy and the importance of a nationwide smoke-free and vape-free environment.

“When the public understands it more, there is a greater possibility that they will support [the bill],” PLCPD Communication Consultant Richard Dy said.

Dy outlined types of stories that would help enhance the advocacy for the bill, including local government and sectoral support, the environmental design of the bill, local case studies and lessons from existing smoke-free policies, and the health impacts of secondhand smoke and vape aerosol.

The PLCPD, along with the Philippine Smoke-Free Movement, Social Watch Philippines, Tobacco-Free Generation, Child Rights Network, Parents Against Vape, and Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, aimed to engage with local governments, policymakers, and the public in gaining support for the bill and its advocacy for a smoke-free environment in the Philippines.

“The local government units can show the proof of concept that the smoke-free and vape-free policies in public spaces and workplaces are implemented in their respective localities, and it only needs to be nationalized through this bill,” Dy said.