The Delegation of the European Union in BiH, World Health Organisation as well as the Swiss Embassy to BiH sent a joint letter Tuesday to the Federation of BiH (FBiH) entity House of Representatives, FBiH Prime Minister Faril Novalic and FBiH Health Minister Vjekoslav Mandic reiterating the importance of the adoption of the Law on Tobacco Control for the health of the population and for fulfilling Bosnia’s International obligations.

“The discussion on the Proposal of the Law on Control and Restricted Use of Tobacco, Tobacco Products and Other Smoking Products at the upcoming session of the FBiH House of Representatives is of utmost importance. We commend the Members of the FBiH House of Representatives for the positive steps taken in support of this important regulation. The adoption of this Law In the original form as proposed is essential both for the health of the entire population, as well as for fulfilling the obligations assumed by BiH through international agreements and on the path of European integration,” the letter said.

Together w/ @WHO_BIH & ?? Embassy to #BiH, we wrote to the FBiH House of Representatives, FBiH PM Novalić & Health Minister Mandić to reiterate the importance of the adoption of the Law on #TobaccoControl for the health of the population and for fulfilling ??’s int’l obligations. pic.twitter.com/HGh6O412jD

— EU in Bosnia and Herzegovina (@eubih) May 25, 2021

The signatories warned that the high prevalence of tobacco use is one of the key factors contributing to the rise of non-communicable diseases in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“In the Federation of BiH, data shows that 8,400 persons die annually from diseases attributed to tobacco smoking; 43,95% of adults and 24.4% of children aged 13-15 are current consumers of tobacco products; and 55% of children in this age group are exposed to second-hand smoke in enclosed public places,” they recalled.

The letter also recalled that BiH has ratified the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) in 2009, that obliges the countries Parties to the WHO FCTC to protect present and future generations from the devastating health, social, environmental and economic consequences of tobacco use. As a potential candidate country for membership in the EU, the adoption of the Law in the original form is also envisaged by the harmonization with the EU Directive 2014/40/EU on tobacco products.

The EU Delegation also noted the EU’s long-standing recommendation to adopting legislation at all levels prohibiting smoking in public places in line with the EU acquis and ratifying the protocol to eliminate illicit trade in tobacco, and starting to enforce both measures.

Then they addressed the concern that smoke-free laws economically harm the hospitality industry, noting that not a single study using objective data and rigorous research methodology in the EU or worldwide found an overall negative impact because of smoke-free laws.

“We are once again inviting you to adopt the proposed Law in its original form and contribute to improving the health situation in the FBiH in these difficult times,” the letter concluded.

US Embassy also supports the adoption of the Law

US Embassy also supported the adoption of the said law from its official Twitter account saying they support the adoption of laws aimed at improving the health of all citizens:

We encourage BiH political leaders to make legislative decisions that will protect and improve the health of their citizens. The United States respects the right of foreign governments to establish and maintain sound public health practices,” the US Embassy tweeted.

We encourage BiH political leaders to make legislative decisions that will protect and improve the health of their citizens. The United States respects the right of foreign governments to establish and maintain sound public health practices.  #tobaccocontrol #publichealth

— US Embassy Sarajevo (@USEmbassySJJ) May 25, 2021