Removing 'smoking zone' in restaurants demanded

Tourism reporters and anti-tobacco campaign activists have urged the government to bring amendment in the current act for removing designated 'smoking zone' in restaurants to protect non-smokers from the dangers of secondhand smoking.

The demand was made at a virtual consultation meeting of members of Aviation and Tourism Journalists' Forum of Bangladesh (ATJFB), organized by the Dhaka Ahsania Mission, a press release said here.

During the meeting, the ATJFB members underlined the need for the necessity to amend the Smoking and Tobacco Usage (Control) Act 2005 to ensure a 100 percent smoke-free environment for the expansion of tourism and hospitality sector.

Coordinator, Tobacco Control Project Md. Shariful Islam presented the keynote paper at the meeting where Media Manager of Dhaka Ahsania Mission Rezaur Rahman Rizvi moderated it.

Lead Policy Advisor of Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids Bangladesh Md. Mostafizur Rahman, said that non-smokers have the right to protect themselves from the dangers of secondhand smoking.

ATJFB president Nadira Kiron of ATN Bangla chaired the meeting while general secretary Tanzim Anwar of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) gave the welcome speech.