TBT DESK

To protect public health and safeguard non-smokers from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke, the Narsingdi Municipality has officially declared all its offices as 100% smoke and tobacco-free zones.

The declaration was made on Sunday (19 July) at an event titled "Sustainable Tobacco Control Initiative: Declaration of Narsingdi Municipality Office Premises Smoke and Tobacco-Free", held at the Narsingdi Municipality conference hall. The announcement was made by Narsingdi Municipality Administrator Mosammat Nadira Akhtar. Member of Parliament Selina Sultana Nishita attended the event as the Chief Guest.

According to the declaration, in accordance with the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act, 2005 (Amendment 2026), smoking and the sale, purchase, and use of all tobacco products are completely prohibited within the premises of the Narsingdi Municipality offices. The order will also apply to all offices under the municipality, ensuring that municipal employees and service seekers are protected from exposure to second-hand smoke.

During the event, participants were informed that, according to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2017, approximately 38.4 million non-smokers in Bangladesh are exposed to second-hand smoke in public transport, restaurants, and other public places. Currently, 37.8 million adults in Bangladesh use tobacco, including 22 million users of smokeless tobacco. According to the Tobacco Atlas 2025, tobacco-related diseases claim nearly 200,000 lives every year in Bangladesh, while several hundred thousand more people suffer from disability due to tobacco use.

Bangladesh became the first signatory to the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) in 2003. Subsequently, the then BNP government enacted the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act in 2005. To strengthen the legislation, the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act, 2005 (Amendment 2026) was passed in 2026. Key provisions of the amended law include: Prohibition of smoking and tobacco use in all public places and all motorized and non-motorized public transport; Elimination of Designated Smoking Areas (DSAs) in public places and public transport; Ban on all forms of tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship at points of sale, on social media, in print and electronic media, cinemas, and films; Prohibition of tobacco companies from using their names, trademarks, logos, or symbols under corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives or sponsoring institutions and events; Ban on the sale of tobacco products to or by anyone under the age of 18; Prohibition of tobacco sales within 100 meters of educational institutions, hospitals, clinics, sports venues, and children's parks; Mandatory installation of "No Smoking" signage in public places and public transport.

It was also noted that, in his message marking World No Tobacco Day 2026, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman reaffirmed the government's commitment to protecting children, adolescents, and future generations from the harmful effects of tobacco and nicotine.

In line with this commitment, smoking and the use of tobacco products have been completely prohibited in all offices under the Narsingdi Municipality to protect public health and shield non-smokers from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.

Addressing the event, Chief Guest Selina Sultana Nishita, MP, said: "The current government remains firmly committed to tobacco control, and the recently passed Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act, 2005 (Amendment 2026) is clear evidence of that commitment. Declaring the Narsingdi Municipality offices smoke and tobacco-free is undoubtedly a far-sighted and public health-oriented initiative. Through this declaration, the municipality has not only taken an administrative decision but has also demonstrated its strong commitment to protecting public health and strengthening tobacco control. This initiative will serve as an inspiring example for other public and private institutions across the country."

Municipality Administrator Most. Nadira Akhtar said: "Smoking harms not only smokers but also non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke. Ensuring a tobacco-free environment is essential to protect the health of non-smokers. As the Narsingdi Municipality and its affiliated offices are public institutions, and since the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act, 2005 (Amendment 2026) prohibits smoking and tobacco use in all public places, we have a responsibility to protect the health of our employees and visitors. It is from this sense of responsibility that we have decided to prohibit smoking and the use of tobacco products in all municipal offices."

The event was also attended by Shaheen Akhtar Dolly, Executive Director of Nari Maitree, officials from various departments of the Narsingdi Municipality, and representatives of the Anti-Tobacco Mothers' Forum, Teachers' Forum, and Youth Forum. All participants welcomed the initiative and emphasized the importance of ensuring a tobacco-free workplace.