A proposal to ban smoking across all public parks, walkways, gardens and coastal areas in Bahrain has been submitted by Capital Trustees Board chairman Saleh Tarradah, in an effort to cut exposure to second-hand smoke and protect the health of citizens and residents.
The initiative seeks to expand the scope of the 2009 Anti-Smoking Law to include all outdoor municipal recreational spaces, which are not currently covered under the existing legislation.
Mr Tarradah initially attempted to amend the law’s executive bylaws, only to discover that these facilities fell outside the current legal framework.
Recognising the legislative gap, he has referred the proposal to Parliament Speaker Ahmed Al Musallam and Shura Council Chairman Ali Saleh Al Saleh. Mr Tarradah has called for urgent support to amend the law to formally include all public spaces.
“Public parks, walkways and beaches are meant for families, children and individuals to enjoy clean air, engage in sports and relax,” he said.
“But many visitors find themselves bothered or even harmed by second-hand smoke. It disrupts the purpose of these spaces.”
Currently, Article 8 of the Anti-Smoking Law prohibits the opening of tobacco cafes in public parks, sports clubs and gardens.
It also bars individuals under the age of 18 from entering designated smoking areas. However, it does not explicitly ban general smoking in open-air municipal areas.
Mr Tarradah stressed that this legal loophole has allowed smoking to continue unchecked in recreational areas that should be safe for all.
“We want to step up anti-smoking measures,” he said.
“The law must evolve with the times and respond to growing public awareness about the dangers of tobacco use.
“This is a step forward in creating cleaner, safer and more family-friendly public spaces.
“It is our responsibility to ensure that parks and walkways serve as places of comfort, and not as passive zones of exposure to harmful substances.
“The proposal forms part of a broader national conversation on public health, environmental preservation and shared civic responsibility in Bahrain.”
Parliament’s foreign affairs, defence and national security committee chairman Hassan Bukhammas has backed the proposal, describing it as a necessary public health measure that aligns with Bahrain’s international commitments and ensures the well-being of its citizens.
“Protecting public spaces from second-hand smoke is a matter of health and social responsibility,” said Mr Bukhammas.
“This is not about punishing smokers – it’s about preserving the rights of the majority who wish to enjoy smoke-free environments.”
He added that smoking bans in open areas have already been successfully implemented in many countries, particularly in Europe and parts of Asia, where they have led to cleaner parks and improved public behaviour.
“As legislators, it’s our duty to provide legal tools that support healthy lifestyles,” Mr Bukhammas added.
“We will study the proposal in detail and push for amendments that reflect the public interest.”
The proposal is expected to be formally introduced in Parliament in October.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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