Last updated: May 7, 2021
Duties / Penalties
Post signs
The law requires managers of public places and public vehicles to display two or more notices in Bangla and English in smoke free areas stating: “Abstain from smoking. It is a punishable offense.” Violation is punishable with a fine of one thousand taka, which doubles for subsequent offenses. The 2015 Rules provide additional details regarding the contents of the required sign.
The law aligns with FCTC Art. 8 and FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines para. 31. However, to more fully align, the Rules should consider including in the contents of the sign a telephone number to report violations and the name of the person to whom complaints should be addressed. The law might also include administrative sanctions, such as suspension of business license for failure to comply.
Remove ashtrays
The law requires managers of public places and public vehicles to ensure that no ashtrays are provided in smoke free areas. Violation is punishable with a fine of 500 taka. The law aligns with FCTC Art. 8 and FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines para. 31.
Steps to require a person to stop smoking (e.g., warn, discontinue service, call authorities)
The law requires managers of public places and public vehicles to take steps to require a person to stop smoking including requesting that the smoker not smoke, expelling the smoker from the premises, discontinuing service, and calling law and order agencies. Violation is punishable with a fine of 500 taka. The law aligns with FCTC Art. 8 and FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines para. 31.
Not to smoke where prohibited
The law imposes a duty on smokers not to smoke where prohibited and imposes a fine of up to 300 hundred taka. The fine doubles for each subsequent violation.
The duty and penalty align with FCTC Art. 8 and the FCTC Art. 8 Guidelines. Although the initial fine is relatively small, the doubling provision should serve as a deterrent.
