CAPIZ – The Roxas City Health Office recently launched the "Blue Ribbon" campaign in its bid to make the metropolis a 100 percent smoking-free area.

The campaign is spearheaded by the World Health Organization and was launched in the city in observance of the World No Tobacco Day celebration last May 31.

City Health Officer Dr. Amelita Robles said in a press conference that the campaign aims to make all indoor places in the city smoke-free.

"Roxas City is the first to launch the campaign in the region," she said, adding that the city's Red Orchid Award in 2011 was the basis for the selection.

During the program, various hotels and restaurants who are implementing a 100 percent smoke-free in their respective environment were given Certificate of Merit "to honor the people who have done their share for clean air."

Smoke-free ordinance enforcers and local tri-media practitioners were also recognized.

Stakeholders participated in the "Signing of Commitment" to further strengthen the anti-smoking campaign.

The CHO also led a motorcade to raise public awareness on the said campaign.

To date, the CHO said 109 smokers were nabbed by the no-smoking ordinance enforcers from January to May 23 this year.

The advocacy has also lowered down tobacco-related illnesses and deaths in the city which is among the major contributing factors for the award given by the Department of Health.*PIA