Public Utility Jeepney (PUJ) Drivers’ Compliance to Smoking Regulation Ordinance in Zamboanga City, Philippines

The City Ordinance 469 titled Ordinance Regulating Smoking in the City  of Zamboanga has been promulgated on January 2018. This ordinance prohibits smoking in all enclosed places that are open to the general public and in public conveyances such as the public utility jeepneys (PUJs). However, current observation on the compliance of jeepney drivers with the smoking ordinance is lax. Hence, this study intends to determine the status of compliance to the smoking ordinance (under section 8 of the City Ordinance 469) among public utility jeepney drivers in the locality of Zamboanga City. This study utilized a descriptive research design employing survey, focus group discussion and observation  method of gathering data. Collection of data was done in 12jeepney transit sites during the peak hour’s operation of the public utility  jeepneys to identify potential and/or actual violations as per the compliance guide. The study revealed that none of the drivers did ever receive a penalty for noncompliance. Heavy smoking, allowing passengers to smoke and deviating from prescribed size of signage predicted noncompliance. Hence, strengthening policies and their implementation are highly encouraged because a well implemented smoking regulation ordinance denotes high compliance. Compliance with smoking regulation ordinance contributes to improved ambient air quality that brings about a sustainable environment that ensures healthy lives and well-being of all individuals in the community.

Keywords: Compliance, Jeepney drivers, Ordinance, Smoking and Tobacco