Azerbaijan to impose ban on smoking in public places (UPDATE)

"One of the requirements from international conventions which Azerbaijan has joined is a law prohibiting smoking, especially in institutions for children," the Deputy Chairman of the Azerbaijani Parliamentary Committee on Social Policy Musa Guliyev told Trend News on July 23.

Approximately 40 U.S. states, many EU countries, as well as Turkey and the Baltic States have adopted laws restricting smoking in public places.

Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan also plan to adopt this bill.

Guliyev said a key reason impeding the adoption of the bill is the Law on Tobacco and Tobacco Products in Azerbaijan passed by Parliament in 2001.

"One of the chapters of the Bill is connected with limiting the use of tobacco. This chapter creates obstacles in this area instead of providing support," the parliamentarian said.

The new bill not only focuses on limiting the use of tobacco or prohibiting smoking in some places, but also increasing activities aimed at strengthening the prevention of smoking, Guliyev said.

"Our goal is to establish a state without tobacco," said the Deputy Chairman of the Committee.

Guliyev said that the new bill, which compromises 12 articles, is available for consideration in Parliament.

"Positive feedback on the bill has bees received from the relevant ministries and organization, and the bill is planned to be examined at Parliament's autumn session," the parliamentarians said.

The Deputy Chairman of the Committee said that the bill will include institutions where smoking is to be specifically prohibited.

"Smoking will be prohibited at airports and seaports, railway and bus stations, in all intercity buses, as well as at all types of public transport, including taxis. Also according to the bill, smoking is also to be banned in cinemas, at sports competitions and in enclosed spaces where concerts are held, as well as in schools and wedding buildings. Smoking will be permitted at work only in designated areas," Guliyev said.

/Trend News/

13:39

At the spring session, the Azerbaijani parliament adopted a Law on Resorts and Sanatoriums and Law on Physical Training and Sport.

Besides, about 200 amendments were made to the laws of social nature, ruling New Azerbaijan Party Web site quoted parliament social policy committee chair Musa Guliyev as saying.

He said the committee will continue to work on several projects including the one on social care for families with many children.

“We hope that the law will be designed at the autumn session. We are also working on a bill to restrict smoking. This bill is almost ready,” he added.

The committee is also revising bill on AIDS adopted in 1996, he said.

/Day.Az/