Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1840

House Bill No.

INTRODUCED BY HON. MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

It is often said that the best way to know what the future looks like is to
observe what the youth are doing, especially the little children. If this is the
gauge, then the future of our country seems bleak. If we look around us, we can
see that more and more of our young people are being drawn to numerous and
various kinds of vices, such as alcoholic drinks and cigarette smoking. Indeed, as
early as their pre-teen years, young people begin these harmful vices and habits.
Some start as early as their elementary years.

The bigger dilemma with these vices aside from being health hazard is
that they often lead to other problems of far-reaching effects and long-term
impact. Numerous studies in psychology and psycho-social behavior have
established that alcoholism and cigarette-smoking have a negative impact on the
psychology, personality and character-building of young people. These habits
and vices have a direct correlation with the inculcation among the young
individuals of anti-social behavior and violent tendencies, lack of sense of duty
and sense of responsibility. As such, the State must adopt a policy of reducing, if
not totally eradicating access by minors to alcoholic beverages and cigarettes.

This bill seeks to criminalize the sale and use of alcoholic drinks and
cigarettes by minors. In particular, the following activities shall be prohibited:

a. To sell or entertain the purchase of cigars, cigarettes or any tobacco
product and alcoholic or intoxicating liquor and beverage to minors;

b. To cause a minor to purchase cigars, cigarettes or any tobacco product
and alcoholic or intoxicating liquor or beverage;

c. The smoking of cigars, cigarettes or any tobacco product and the
consumption of alcoholic or intoxicating liquor or beverage by a minor; and

d. The sale.of cigars, cigarettes or any tobacco products and alcoholic or
intoxicating liquor or beverage by a minor.

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
=

Mt J or barme

MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO

Representative, 1" District
City of Marikina


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS,
First Regular Session

1840

House Bill No.

INTRODUCED BY HON. MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO

AN ACT
PROHIBITING THE SALE OF CIGARS, CIGARETTES AND ALCOHOLIC
OR INTOXICATING LIQUORS OR BEVERAGES TO MINORS

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines
in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title.
"Minors' Protection from Vices Act.

This Act shall be known and cited as the

SECTION 2. Declaration of Principles. — The Philippine Constitution
provides in Section 13, Article Il that “the State recognizes the vital role of the
youth in nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral,
spiritual, intellectual and social well-being.” Pursuant thereto, it shall be unlawful
to expose minors, in any manner detrimental them, to tobacco products and
alcohol beverages or intoxicating liquors.

SECTION 3. Prohibited Acts -.The following shall be prohibited under
this Act:

a. To sell or entertain the purchase of cigars, cigarettes or any tobacco
product and alcoholic or intoxicating liquor and beverage to minors;

b. To cause a minor to purchase cigars, cigarettes or any tobacco product
and alcoholic or intoxicating liquor or beverage;

c. The smoking of cigars, cigarettes or any tobacco product and the
consumption of alcoholic or intoxicating liquor or beverage by a minor; and

d. The sale of cigars, cigarettes or any tobacco products and alcoholic or
intoxicating liquor or beverage by a minor.

SECTION 4. Penalties. - Any person above 18 years old or any business
entity violating the prohibited acts as prescribed in Section 3 of this Act shall
suffer the penalty of imprisonment of not less than 3 days but not more than one
(1) month, or a fine of not less than One thousand pesos (P 1,000.00) but not
more than Twenty-five thousand pesos (P 25,000.00), or both upon the discretion
of the court. Foregoing penalties shall apply in addition to the revocation of the
license to operate a business and closure of establishment connected with the
selling of cigars, cigarettes or any tobacco product and alcoholic or intoxicating
liquor.



If the violation of any provisions of this Act is committed by a corporation,
partnership, association or similar entity, the president, general manager or most
senior officers shall be held liable for the offense.

For violations of ( c ) and ( d ) of Section 3 of this Act, Republic Act 9344
otherwise known as the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 shall apply.

SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees,
executive orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent
with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - if any part of provision of this Act
shall be held unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions hereof which are not
affected hereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 7. Effectivity. --This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days alter
its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,