Monitor cigarette sales

Recently, the National Heart Foundation disclosed an alarming survey report finding which mentioned that the evidence of smoking such as cigarette butts and odor were found at 71 percent of public hospitals in Dhaka, which goes against the Smoking and Tobacco Control Act. As per the tobacco control act, hospitals in the country are supposed to be completely tobacco-free. Smoking in all public places are strictly prohibited by the law yet it is such a rampant practice no matter where we go. In public places, if one requests a smoker to put out their cigarette, they retaliate often with aggression and disregard, even when children are present. There should be separate zones for smokers so that the non-smokers can be at ease. The concerned authorities must take steps to restrict the sale and smoking of tobacco within hospital vicinities as well as public places.