Amend Tobacco Control Act to make public places 100% smoke-free: Speakers

Speakers at a programme today demanded an amendment to the Tobacco Control Act to make all public places, including restaurants and tourist areas, 100% smoke-free.

The demand was made at a virtual meeting attended by officials of Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids Bangladesh, Tobacco Control Project of Dhaka Ahsania Mission and members of the executive committee of Aviation and Tourism Journalists Forum of Bangladesh (ATJFB).

Mukhlesur Rahman, assistant director, Health Sector, Dhaka Ahsania Mission, in the programme said that 63 countries, including Canada, Spain and Nepal, have laws prohibiting smoking zones in public places.

However, the law of our country provides for smoking zones in public places such as multi-room restaurants, public transport (trains, launches) and non-mechanical public transport.

"As a result, non-smokers also go to these places and become victims of passive smoking. Therefore, in order to protect the health of non-smokers, Section 7 of the Tobacco Control Act should be repealed and designated smoking areas in all public places should be banned," he added.

Mostafizur Rahman, lead policy advisor of Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids Bangladesh, said that non-smokers have the right to protect themselves from the harmful effects of passive smoking.

Speakers at the programme also said, all concerned stakeholders should take initiative to keep restaurants and hotels 100% smoke free. Therefore, the law should be amended to make public places completely smoke free.

The programme was presided over by ATJFB President Nadira Kiron while programme officer Sharmin Akhter Rini presented the keynote paper.