DHAKA, 27 March 2005 — A law banning smoking in public places was enforced in Bangladesh from yesterday. The smoking ban has been enforced in public places including schools, government offices, libraries, elevators, hospitals, courts, airports, railway stations and bus terminals.
The Parliament two weeks ago adopted the bill on the Control of Use of Tobacco Products Act, prohibiting also the sponsorship of sporting events by cigarette companies.
A Health Ministry spokesperson said the law on restrictions on tobacco use had come into effect from yesterday after presidential approval and the publication of the Act in the official gazette. “We have timed the inauguration of this milestone law with the independence day anniversary for greater public consciousness about the dangers to health posed by smoking,” said an official.
Any person violating the ban on smoking in public places would be fined 50 Bangladesh taka, the authorities said. They also said cigarette companies and manufacturers of other tobacco products faced three months in prison and a 1,000 taka fine for violating the advertising ban in the media.
