Starting May 30 of the year 2011, smoking has been prohibited in public places around Metro Manila. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) are supposed to catch people who are smoking in public places and give them their specific fines.

500 pesos if caught smoking. If the violator cannot pay the fine, he or she will have to serve 8-hours of community service.

In my opinion, I think 500 pesos is not enough to be a fine for the said violation. I mean, a law sa violated, so the fine must be a little bit higher than that right? That is, if they really want for this to work. Of course, if you’d pay a bigger amount, either you WILL try your hardest to not be caught, or better yet, quite smoking all together.

But of course, I know how hard it is to quite smoking. My boyfriend had to quite smoking for me because for one thing, I hate people who smokes. Second, I have asthma so he can’t smoke in front of me either. He chose to quite smoking. In some instances, I believe he said he is tempted. I just don’t know how he got through with it considering that most of our college friends smoked and he hangs out with them most of the time.

Anyway, back to the topic.

I wish they banned it for the entire region though. I mean, Manila is just a portion of the National Capital Region. Then again, if they want to see if their banning actually works, they’d have to start small. Sad thing is, even our own President Noynoy Aquino smokes. I just don’t know how he handles it – is it that obvious that I don’t watch the news?

From Manila, I hope they expand in a matter of weeks. Makati is full of smokers, cigarette butts are all over the place. People had even placed “Please do not throw your cigarette butts here” signs on growing sprouts. Yet, people still throw their butts there. I even see some in bushes.

I am totally against smoking other than me having asthma. Smoking may relieve stress for a little while and may feel good. But then, in time, you will have to pay with your life if you don’t quite. Medicines are not cheap.

As they say.

Prevention is better than cure.