Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Approves a Strong Law to Save Lives and Protect Youth from Tobacco
Statement of Joshua Abrams, Director of Eurasia Programs, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
May 26, 2022
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Mr. Marinko Čavara, the president of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, signed into law a comprehensive tobacco control bill that will reduce tobacco consumption and protect citizens, particularly youth, from the dangers of tobacco use.
The new law mandates a ban on smoking in most enclosed public places, workplaces, and public transport; smoking is also forbidden in private vehicles if minors are inside. The provisions prohibit tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorships outside the point of sale, ban the use of additives and flavors in cigarettes, impose health warning labels on all tobacco products, and ban the sale of cigarettes containing addicting flavors. Finally, the law establishes a federal commission for tobacco control.
The tobacco industry fought very hard against the bill, working with allies in the parliament to introduce amendments that weakened the original bill supported by the tobacco control community. Because of this interference, heated tobacco products are exempt from the indoor smoking ban, designated smoking areas are permitted in some public places, and tobacco companies are still allowed to advertise their deadly products inside any point of sale.
With the approval of the new law, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina takes an important step that will save lives from tobacco-related illnesses like cancer, heart disease, and lung disease. The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids commends the civil society groups, government officials, and policymakers who supported this important milestone and urges tobacco control champions to continue working to close the gaps in the law.