Establishments and stores that serve/sell liquor and cigarettes to customers that are not of legal age will soon be liable to fines and even imprisonment under the newly amended Anti-Smoking and Liquor Ban ordinances of 2024.
Councilor Luna Acosta, principal author of the amended ordinances, said new provisions are added under Davao City’s new ‘Comprehensive Liquor Code’ and the ‘Revised Comprehensive Anti- Smoking Ordinance’, to protect the health and welfare of minors. This was after a study by the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC) revealed that a significant number of minors frequent bars and clubs where they are indiscriminately served liquor and cigarettes.
“Karon mag-require na ta og (Now we will require the) presentation of ID, if the age of the person to be served alcohol is in doubt,” Acosta said in an interview over the Davao City Disaster Radio on Tuesday.
“If in doubt, find out. Dapat mahibaw-an gyud sa naga-serve, restaurant ba na or bar, kung unsay edad (It is a must for the server—in a bar or restaurant, to know if the customer is of legal age),” she added.
Both ordinances also require specific signages prohibiting minors from buying alcoholic drinks and tobacco products (including cigarettes and vapes) to be displayed in store fronts and other conspicuous areas of an establishment.
Under the ordinances, failure to require proof of age from a suspected minor as well as the absence of the prescribed signs will penalize sellers or establishment-owners P1,000 in fines.
A fine of P5,000 and one year imprisonment will be faced by individuals who serve/sell liquor and tobacco products to minors. For establishments, their business permits will also be revoked.
Both ordinances also mandate the creation of an Anti-Vices Task Force (AVTF) with the Vices Regulation Unit acting as Secretariat to monitor the compliance of sellers, stores, and establishments to these regulations.
Establishments and stores that will refuse to admit the AVTF into their premises for monitoring and inspection will be fined P3,000 for the first offense, and P5,000 and revocation of permits for subsequent offences.
“As much as possible, we want to avoid instance na ang mga minor musulod ani na mga bisyo, smoking and drinking, because we have to protect them,” the councilor added.
The ordinance had its third and final reading on April 16 this year and will take effect shortly after its publication. CIO
