MP offers to adopt law restricting smoking

An Azerbaijani parliament member has proposed that the country’s top legislative body pass a separate law on restriction of smoking in public places.

The deputy executive secretary of the ruling New Azerbaijan Party, MP Mubariz Gurbanly said that he came out with a similar proposal during the last session of the Milli Majlis (parliament), noting that he will continue his efforts to achieve the discussion of the issue during the fall session.

Gurbanly said that a working group on drafting a relevant law must be set up. He said that the draft must be put on public discussion before it is tabled in the parliament. The restriction of smoking in public places is an outstanding issue, as smoking in most public places of the country, especially in Baku, in entertainment centers and the venues for different events is accepted as common, he said.

“It is not a secret that mass smoking takes place in all Internet clubs, crowded areas, including stations, cafes and restaurants of Baku,” Gurbanly said.

He said that smoking in public places violates the rights of non-smokers and raises interest in young people in cigarettes.*