Anti-Smoking Bill

DHAKA, 15 March 2005 — Bangladesh’s Parliament passed a bill restricting smoking in public places and banning tobacco product advertising, the government said yesterday. Parliament passed the legislation late Sunday to “discourage smoking and sale of cigarettes and tobacco products” in the country, it said. It will become law after being signed by President Iajuddin Ahmed. Smoking in public places like schools, government offices and airports will be banned and violators will face a fine of 50 takas. Officials will be allowed to designate special areas for smokers under the law.