The residents of Sarajevo have divided opinions on the draft law which imposes a ban on smoking in all closed public spaces, public gatherings, workplaces, and in public transport, as well as private cars if there are minors in them.
The House of Representatives of the Parliament of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH), with 63 votes in favor, 3 against, and 2 abstentions, on May 26th adopted the proposal of the law on control and limited use of tobacco, tobacco products, and other smoking products. In order to enter into force, this legal solution must be approved by the House of Peoples of the FBiH Parliament.
Fahrudin Sabanija from a Sarajevo catering facility told that the optimal solution would be to find an option that would allow both smokers and non-smokers to have space where they can enjoy, some with cigarette smoke, and others without it.
“If this is the European system, I think we should follow it as a state and a people. We don’t know how much impact will this have on everything else, it will only be seen when the decision is made, ” Sabanija said, adding that the so-called winter gardens could be one of the possible solutions.
Rasim Zuko, president of the Zeljezničar Chess Club, said that he fully supports the legal ban on smoking.
“I completely agree with it. In the chess club, I work with children and both children and I have a problem when someone smokes, ” told Zuko.
Citizen Sejdiu Sadri thinks that the issue of a smoking ban is from the sphere of deeper politics and that as a non-smoker, he believes that it would be best if there were separate areas that are for smokers and others for non-smokers.
“I support the total ban. This has been done in all advanced countries. When the ministers of health in other developed countries were reprimanded for contributing to the budget by selling tobacco and cigarettes, he nicely replied that far more money was spent treating those who are poisoned by smoking, ” stated citizen Fehvad Mostarac.
On the other hand, Zineta Kisic believes that a ban on smoking would deprive smokers of their rights.
“I don’t know what to tell you, I would be sorry. If we want to be healthy, we can go to nature and enjoy it, but it is sad that so many people will lose all that rights to live freely. I think all of this what is happening is enough already, ” noted Kisic.
E.Dz.
