MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to sign an executive order for a nationwide smoking ban this week, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said Thursday.
Officials are still fine-tuning the order, including areas that will be covered by the smoking ban. Penalties will be determined by local government officials, Ubial said.
The ban will not cover electronic cigarettes, she added.
Duterte had implemented a similar ban in Davao City, where he served as mayor for two decades.
Ubial said higher taxes and mandatory health warning on cigarette packs have resulted in a decrease in the number of smokers. --- with reports from Doris Bigornia, ABS-CBN News.