The House of Representatives of the Parliament of Bosnia’s Federation (FBiH) entity adopted the Draft Law on Control and Restricted Use of Tobacco, Tobacco Products and Other Smoking Products, on Wednesday evening.

The Law was passed with 63 votes in favour of the bill while three were against it and two abstained. The bill now goes to the House of Peoples of the FBiH Parliament for its final adoption.

This proposal envisages a ban on smoking in all enclosed public spaces, public gatherings, workplaces and in public transport, as well as private cars if there are minors in them.

The purpose of this law is to better regulate the use of tobacco products.

The law was drafted in accordance with the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and Directive 2014/40/EU of the European Parliament and EU Council of 3 April 2014 on the harmonization of laws, regulations and administrative provisions concerning the production, presentation and sale of tobacco and related products.

The law provides an 18 month period for its full application, ie harmonization with the provisions.

Fines will not be applied in that period, and they range from 2,000 to 5,000 Bosnian marks (between approx.. €1,000 and €2,500)  if the cafe or restaurant does not comply with the provisions of the law banning smoking.