(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday admitted he uses an oxygen concentrator while sleeping.
“I cannot smoke because of..Yan pinost..Kasi kung matulog ako oxygenation ko di maganda,” he told the crowd attending the People’s Day celebration in Oriental Mindoro.
Duterte was referring to several pictures of him on his bed which were posted on Facebook by his son-in-law, Atty. Manases Carpio, on the President’s 72nd birthday.
In one picture where Duterte is seen playing with his grandchildren, the device is seen beside the bed where he sits.
“That is why in the coming months, we will be implementing a no smoking law in the Philippines,” he said.
In Davao, where Duterte has been mayor for more than 20 years, a total smoking ban in public places is being implemented.
As of early March, an executive order on the no-smoking in public places policy is awaiting Duterte’s signature.
Once signed, smoking waterpipes, cigarettes, tobacco, e-cigarettes, or similar devices will be prohibited in public places nationwide.
The no-smoking policy will also cover drivers, conductors, and passengers of public utility vehicles.
There will be designated smoking areas where the public will not be exposed to second-hand smoke.