In the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, new rules for smoking in closed public and catering establishments come into force today, for violations of which fines of 100 BAM are provided for individuals.
Smoking will be completely prohibited in facilities smaller than 50 square meters where food and drinks are served.
The Rulebook on the ban on smoking prescribes the conditions for special smoking areas in closed public and catering establishments, while defining exceptions to the general ban on smoking in FBiH.
According to this rulebook, restaurant owners who want to allow smoking in certain rooms will have to comply with strict regulations.
At the entrance to the areas where it is allowed, they will have to put up clear signs that smoking is allowed, but also that it is harmful to health, and that the entry and stay of persons under the age of 18 is prohibited.
In facilities and zones where smoking is prohibited, the use of tobacco heating technology is not prohibited.
Owners of facilities with an area of up to 50 square meters where only drinks are served can decide whether the facility will be smoking or non-smoking, and if they allow smoking, the space must be equipped with a ventilation and air filtration system, as well as a device for measuring and displaying data on negative pressure.
When it comes to establishments larger than 50 square meters in which only drinks are served or food is served in addition to drinks, measures are mandatory which, among other things, include the physical separation of the smoking area, which must not be less than 10 square meters nor larger than 20 percent of the total area of the space, and equipping the space with a ventilation and air filtration system.
The Rulebook stipulates that smoking rooms in health care facilities, palliative care facilities, care for the elderly, and prison facilities must meet specific conditions, including that the smoking room must be completely closed and physically separated from non-smoking areas.
Owners of catering facilities are given a period of six months to adjust their business in accordance with the rulebook, and for its violation after that period, legal entities will face a fine of 2,000 to 5,000 BAM, while responsible persons can be fined in the range of 300 to 1,000 BAM.
The Federal Law on the control and limited use of tobacco and other tobacco products for smoking was adopted almost two years ago, and on June 13, when the rulebook established by the FBiH Ministry of Health begins, it will officially enter into force.
