Bangladesh bans smoking in public

Key points
- Bangladesh has banned Smoking in public places, in line with a United Nations treaty on tobacco control.
- Parliament passed a law implementing the ban late on Sunday, setting a fine of 50 taka (80 U.S. cents) for people caught smoking in places such as schools, offices, libraries, hospitals and airports.
- The typical daily wage of a farm labourer in Bangladesh is 60 taka, just under one U.S. dollar.
- The law prohibits advertisement of tobacco products in cinemas, newspapers or on television in the country of 130 million people.
Bangladesh has banned Smoking in public places, in line with a United Nations treaty on tobacco control.
Parliament passed a law implementing the ban late on Sunday, setting a fine of 50 taka (80 U.S. cents) for people caught smoking in places such as schools, offices, libraries, hospitals and airports.
The typical daily wage of a farm labourer in Bangladesh is 60 taka, just under one U.S. dollar.
The law prohibits advertisement of tobacco products in cinemas, newspapers or on television in the country of 130 million people.
The World Health Organisation said about half of Bangladeshi men and one fifth of Bangladeshi women use tobacco in either smoking or smokeless forms.
The global pact, signed by 167 nations, came into effect in February, despite what U.N. officials and activists say has been intensive lobbying by the tobacco industry.
Written and revised by
Gerald Hurowitz, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.
Explore health topics
More in this topic
Addiction →
NewsReduced-nicotine cigarettes 'do not lead to increased smoking intensity'
Researchers have previously been concerned that cigarettes with reduced levels of nicotine could lead to smokers increasing the intensity of their habit in order to satisfy their nicotine cravings. A new study of the…
23 August 2014
NewsMenthol cigarettes linked to increased smoking among teens
Teens who use menthol cigarettes smoke more cigarettes per day than their peers who smoke non-menthols, says a new study. The findings from the Propel Centre for Population Health Impact at the University of Waterloo…
21 June 2014
NewsPeer pressure is weaker for kids to quit smoking
Adolescents tend to be more powerful in influencing their friends to start smoking than in helping them to quit, according to sociologists. In a study of adolescent friendship networks and smoking use over time, the…
12 June 2014