Speakers at a virtual discussion viewed that the current tobacco control Act needs to be amended to ensure  cent percent smoking-free environment for the expansion of the tourism and hospitality sector. There should be no  smoking zone in the restaurants to protect non-smokers from the dangers of secondhand smoking, they said.  Dhaka Ahsania Mission and Aviation and Tourism Journalists’ Forum of Bangladesh (ATJFB) hosted the event and discussed the necessity of amending the Smoking and Tobacco Usge (Control) Act 2005.  Read:WHO to launch initiative to help 1.3 bln people quit smoking The event held on Tuesday was chaired by Nadira Kiran, President, ATJFB and News Editor, ATN Bangla.  Lead Policy Advisor of Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids Bangladesh Md. Mostafizur Rahman, Grants Manager Abdus Salam Mia, Senior Policy Advisor Md. Ataur Rahman Masud, Communications officer Sarkar Shams Bin Sharif, Assistant Director of Dhaka Ahsania Mission Mukhlesur Rahman, Tanzim Anwar, General Secretary, ATJFB and Online Incharge, BSS, spoke at the meeting.  

In a bid to ensure fully smoking-free environment, two anti-tobacco advocacy organisations –-PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) and Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA)— on Monday proposed that the ban on smoking be extended to all public places, workplaces and public transport, including abolishment of ‘designated smoking zones’ provided in public places and work places.