Dhaka, March 10 -- A delegation from research and advocacy organisation PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) and Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA) on Monday held a meeting with Commerce Adviser Sk. Bashir Uddin at his office in the Secretariat, said a media release.

During the meeting, the delegation informed the commerce adviser of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's (MoHFW) initiative to eliminate designated smoking areas (DSAs) through law amendment to safeguard non-smokers from the health hazards of passive smoking.

A 100% smoke-free environment cannot be achieved if DSAs continue to exist, it said. Especially, as a person enters or exits smoking zones at hotels and restaurants, cigarette smoke leaks and makes all patrons, inclu...