DHAKA, June 23, 2021 (BSS) - 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.