The House of Representatives of the Parliament of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) yesterday passed a law banning the consumption of tobacco in all public closed facilities, public transport, but also in private cars with children.
63 people voted ”For”, 3 were ”against”, and 2 abstained.
After the debate, the parliamentarians voted yesterday on the proposal of the Government on the new law, which should regulate the use of tobacco in public space.
The draft law now goes to the House of Peoples of the FBiH Parliament where it needs enough support to be implemented.
The parliamentarians did not adopt the amendments of the representatives Salmir Kaplan and Irfan Cengic.
Before the debate, parliamentarians stated yesterday that the time has come for this decision to see the light of day and to protect the health of citizens after 12 years of signing with the World Health Organization (WHO). It was also pointed out that the ban on smoking in closed public facilities will be a big advantage on BiH’s path to membership in the European Union (EU).
The draft law stipulates that from the day the law enters into force, everyone will have 12 months to create conditions for law enforcement.
Article 5 of the proposed law clearly emphasizes the type of ban.
This is the strictest law so far, which implies a complete ban on the consumption of tobacco and tobacco products in all closed public spaces, workplaces, as well as public transport. Also, the consumption of tobacco in private vehicles in which there are children is prohibited. The exceptions are the consumption of chewing tobacco and snuff.
This draft law applies to tobacco, tobacco and other smoking products (hookahs, water pipes…), including electronic cigarettes, smokeless tobacco products, and herbal smoking products.
Owners of catering facilities (restaurants, cafes, etc.) will be obliged to show the sign “no smoking” in visible places, and ashtrays and other objects for ash disposal must not be displayed in the facility. The owner of the facility will be obliged to warn those who do not respect this law, deny the service, or ask the person to leave the premises. Otherwise, the owner of the facility will be obliged to call the police, BHRT writes.
E.Dz.
