No steps in sight yet to enforce law banning smoking in public places

The government is yet to take steps to enforce the law prohibiting smoking in public places exposing the people to health hazards.
In a bid to protect children, women and non-smokers from the deadly impacts of passive smoking, the government on 29 April 2013 passed "Smoking & tobacco products uses (Control) (Amendment) Bill 2013" forbidding smoking in public places and transports.
Under the new law if any one flouting the rule would be fined Tk300.
Smoke emitted from cigarettes and bidis have more than 4,000 kinds of harmful chemical elements, which can lead to diseases among non-smokers only for inhaling the smoke.
Sufferers said no police or other personal of law enforcement agencies little bother to put smokers away from public gathering even after getting complains.
"While waiting for the bus I routinely catch in the morning to head to work, there's often some smokers who chooses to position themselves on the same queue as me and smoke in front of polices nearby but the law enforcers do not take any action against those even after getting complains from us," Ahmed Sufi, a bus passenger told the FE.
"Besides, almost all the drivers and helpers of public buses running within the city also smokes regularly disregarding the law and the penalties," he added.
Ahsan Habib, a pedestrian said he can never walk even fifty meters without facing smokers.
"Besides, in almost all the make shift shops, under-aged boys are seen selling different types of tobaccos in front of police which is also punishable but no actions are taken against them."
Sale of tobacco to or by minors was also banned under the law. The fine for violation is Tk 5,000.
However, government formed a National Tobacco Control Cell under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare to take care of the implementation of the law.
But the authority fined a nominal number of smokers for violation of the law after eight years of enactment of the law in 2005.
"Police and other agencies are instructed to go for action after getting complains from people. But the people rarely complains," an official of the concern ministry told the FE preferring anonymity.
While replying to a question, he said they do not have sufficient manpower to run mobile court to go for action against those who smoke in public places.
Due to the threat on public health, economy and development, a global treaty has been developed, named Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), by active participation, support and input led by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Bangladesh was the first signatory of the FCTC in 2003.