The provision of designated smoking areas (DSAs) in hotels, restaurants, and trains has been ineffective as the laws are not fully complied there, which violates the rights of non-smokers, as per the finding of a study revealed on Sunday.
Many DSAs are not physically separated from the non-smoking area, rendering non-smokers widely vulnerable to becoming victims of secondhand smoke, according to the study.
The study was conducted on 118 residential hotels and 355 restaurants in Dhaka city, and 53 active passenger trains passing through Dhaka station.
The study titled "Prevalence and Compliance of Designated Smoking Areas (DSAs) in Hospitality Venues and Transportation in Dhaka, Bangladesh," was carried out jointly by John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress).
The study findings were unveiled at an event titled “Building a Tobacco-free Bangladesh: Local and Global Evidence Sharing" organized by Campaign for Tobacco-free Kids (CTFK), PROGGA and VOICE in the city’s Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel.
The study found only DSAs in only 41 places (8 percent) out of total 526 venues but none of the 21 DSAs were fully compliant with all measures required by the tobacco control law.
Out of 118 residential hotels, 18 hotels have DSAs each, but the designated areas in seven hotels are not physically separated from the non-smoking area which is a violation of the existing tobacco control law.
Among the 355 restaurants, only two restaurants have DSAs and none of those 02 DSAs were fully compliant with the law.
It is not possible to safeguard non-smokers from secondhand smoke and reaping benefits of smoke-free provisions while allowing DSAs in public places, hence, eliminating provision for DSAs in the tobacco control law is highly required to ensure 100% smoke-free environment, the study concludes.
The findings from a separate study on tobacco industry ill tactics, conducted by VOICE with support from CTFK, were also shared during the event.
In its presentation, VOICE also reveals its study findings that tobacco companies encourage restaurant owners to set up DSAs by providing cash incentives and other necessary equipment.
Such ill tactics are the result of tobacco companies exploiting the loopholes in the existing tobacco control law.
Former Chairman of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) Dr. Nasir Uddin Ahmed said, "To ensure a 100% smoke-free environment, we must eliminate any provision that allows DSAs. It hinders the realization of a tobacco-free Bangladesh."
Additional Secretary (World Health Wing) of Health Services Division Kazi Zebunnessa Begum said "I hope the tobacco control law will soon be revamped and amended, which also include the elimination of the provision for DSAs. Thus, we can pave the way for the emergence of a tobacco-free Bangladesh."
Principal Consultant of South Asia Communications of CTFK Jaspreet Kaur Pal said, ‘The study did not find a single DSA fully compliant with the law. So, DSAs are not enforceable in the non-smoking areas. By amending the tobacco control law, Bangladesh should join the list of 67 countries that have already eliminated DSAs to protect public health from secondhand smoke.”
Coordinator of National Tobacco Control Cell (NTCC) Hossain Ali Khondoker, Lead Policy Advisor of CTFK Bangladesh Mostafizur Rahman and representatives of a number of anti-tobacco organizations were present, said a press release.
Source: United News of Bangladesh