Cigarrete Smoking Ban At Ayala

[Gator]

 

It seems Ayala Mall has suddenly decided to enforce Cebu City's smoking ban. Granted they're a private entity and they have that right, but I'm curious why the sudden and unannounced shift in policy? I wonder if other malls in Cebu City will follow suit? Will it be like Davao City, where you're made to feel like a thief in the night and you have to sneak off to a dark corner to furtively have a smoke?

 

Note that no City Ordinance number is shown on the sign (so how's it enforceable if not clearly stated?), so I presume they are referring to Cebu City Ordinance 2241, which was most recently amended  back in October of 2011.

 

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2011/10/03/maximum-penalties-await-city-s-smokers-182822

 

To me, compared to the exhaust smoke belching from trucks, jeeps, busses, bikes multi-cabs, and taxis/cars, cigarette smoke in outside areas is a minor issue. I can understand limiting it to outside areas at restos/coffee shops (which is currently the case at Ayala), designated areas within the Terraces and away from mall entrances/exits (not the case there), but banning it from the mall grounds/Terraces entirely seems a bit extreme.

 

Some may argue that exhaust pollution from autos & trucks is not as big an issue; well I challenge you: I'll get into a car with a chain smoker and you go in another car with the exhaust pipe leading into the window. Let's see who lasts the longest, lol.

 

 

Even though I'm a cigarrette smoker I don't like the smell of smoke when I'm eating. I'll often eat inside one of restos at Ayala and then go outside to one of their tables or to a coffee shop for a smoke after I've eaten. Putting the health risks aside for minute, I fully agree that others should not be made uncomfortable because of my bad habit.

 

Some may also argue that the answer to the smoking ban is easy: Quit smoking or take your business elsewhere. Anyone who has never smoked has no idea how hard of an addiction it is to quit; cigarettes (or more specifically nicotine) are arguably one of the most addictive substances on the planet (and please, spare me the personal attacks about my lack of will power. I have quit in past, but easily gravitate back to it, it's been something I've been battling on and off for 30 years).

 

From what I was able to see Ayala has set up only one designated smoking area. It's what they refer to as the "Garden near Active Zone". Namely it’s an area at the northwest section of the mall's property (corner of Bohol and Mindanao Ave's). It's an open area that's not well lit at night and where you will be accosted by lady boys as well as by very aggressive street beggars. I was there last night and both happened to me. I did not see any security guards so I moved out onto the street, which was better lit and where I felt safer. Thanks Ayala for not only caring about my safety, but for treating me like a second class citizen too!!!

 

With the fines as high as they are you can safely bet your last dollar that foreigners will be targeted for enforcement, so I'll simply choose to take the bulk of my business elsewhere. I guess I'll just have to spend my tourist dollars at SM.

Edited February 1, 2015 by Gator

[Call me bubba]

thanks for the info, :thumbsup:

and I assure you I will make a copy and

pass the article to the LOCAL AYALA malls near me about their LACK OF SECURITY 

[Gator]

thanks for the info, :thumbsup:

and I assure you I will make a copy and

pass the article to the LOCAL AYALA malls near me about their LACK OF SECURITY 

 

You're welcome. It was too late to do it last night as the mall was already closed, but I plan to stop by Ayala later today (on my way to SM, lol) and file a written "concern" (what they call a complaint here) about the lack of safety in their designated smoking area. For whatever good it will do, I'll also express my displeasure about their sudden policy change and my intent to take my business elsewhere. Should they respond I'll I post it here.

Edited February 1, 2015 by Gator

[MikeB]

No offense OP, but I appreciate the efforts of any entity, public or private, to stop this despicable habit from destroying more lives and killing more innocent people. Good luck with your complaint.

[Gator]

No offense OP, but I appreciate the efforts of any entity, public or private, to stop this despicable habit from destroying more lives and killing more innocent people. Good luck with your complaint.

None taken, and I actually agree with you.

 

My concern is the area they've selected as the designated smoking area. Perhaps Ayala's management is not aware how unsafe that section is of the mall is at night. I plan to also suggest they include, or move it, to the area I refer to as the "grassy knoll"; the area on the other side of the mall near the exit next to the Marriot hotel. 

 

For now, if I do choose to go to Ayala, then I'll just leave the mall grounds at a different exit to have a smoke and avoid the "Garden" area.

[BrettGC]

Wow, that was quick, was having a smoke on the terrace last week...

[MikeB]

Perhaps Ayala's management is not aware how unsafe that section is of the mall is at night. I plan to also suggest they include, or move it, to the area I refer to as the "grassy knoll"; the area on the other side of the mall near the exit next to the Marriot hotel. 

If the management of the mall is unresponsive you may want to email one of the op-ed columnists for the Cebu Sun Star. If it's a matter of public safety they have a lot more clout then anyone here. When a child fell from the 2nd floor of SM Mall a couple months ago because a barrier was inadequate they blasted the mall until it was corrected. Luckily the child wasn't seriously injured. I've contacted both Bobby Nalzaro (bobby.nalzaro@yahoo.com) and Bong Wenceslao (khanwens@gmail.com) and they do read all emails and respond when appropriate.

[Jollygoodfellow]

I would almost bet all malls will follow suit. Works in Davao I believe. I hope the Waterfront casino stops smoking inside the casino, went there once and could not breath. 

[Tukaram (Tim)]

We have a city wide smoking ban in Iloilo.  It is mostly followed... surprisingly.

[Lou49]

I don't see the problem smoking outside on the terraces at Ayala. No big health hazard there smoking outdoors. I used to go to ayala for dinner 5 or 6 times a week. Now I will take my stinkin' foreign tourist dollars and spend them elsewhere. I hope others follow suit.