The Law on the Control and Restricted Use of Tobacco Products in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina should come into force on May 20.
The Law regulates, among other things, measures to ban and limit the use of tobacco and other smoking products, prohibit their advertising, promotion, and sponsorship, and prevent access to these products to minors. The Law also stipulates obligations of tobacco producers to print certain information on the packaging, labeling, and such.
An MP in the Parliament of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kenela Zuko, who initiated the Law, which was adopted in both houses of the Parliament last year, told FENA that the FBiH Ministry of Health should prepare certain by-laws and regulations by the time the Law begins to apply, which would define its implementation.
The FBiH Ministry of Health told FENA that the Law also stipulates the obligation to pass by-laws and that the Ministry is preparing a rulebook on the conditions for special smoking rooms in terms of exceptions to the smoking ban and rulebook on the form and content of signs on the prohibition of sale and prohibition of smoking to minors.
They note that deadlines are determined differently depending on the activity.
“It is prescribed that the obligations for natural entities begin on the day this Law begins to apply, May 20,” the Ministry pointed out.
They point out that legal entities in whose facilities there are exemptions from the smoking ban, such as departments for mental health protection in health institutions, catering facilities and other facilities, whether they are owned by them or given to them for use, should harmonize their work with the provisions of that Law within six months from the date of entry into force of the rulebook on conditions for special smoking rooms in terms of exceptions to the smoking ban.
