MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – Vendors seem to be under attack in some countries in Asia.

The government of Singapore recently announced that beginning in 2017, vendors will no longer to able to display cigarettes in their stalls. The new law is aimed at preventing young kids from taking up smoking. All too often, young people are exposed to this unhealthy addiction through point-of-sale displays of cigarettes.

Following Singapore’s lead, Philippine President NoyNoy Aquino, upon the joint recommendation of the Health and Tourism Departments, issued an executive order banning the display and sale of chicken feet by sidewalk vendors.  Fried chicken feet, similar to those served in Chinese dim sum, is a popular and inexpensive street food in the country.

The same executive order prohibits eating balut (boiled duck embryo) in public. It may still be sold by street vendors but can only be consumed in the privacy of people’s homes.

In issuing the order, Aquino said he hopes that the ban will not only improve the health of Filipinos but also boost tourism by creating a better Philippine image in the eyes of foreign visitors who can not stand the sight of chicken feet and balut.

The order is in keeping with the administration’s mantra of daang matuwid (street, uhm, straight path).