To protect public health and safeguard non-smokers from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke, the Department of Social Services (DSS) has officially declared a completely smoke-free zone.
From now on, all activities of the department will follow the National Tobacco Control Guidelines to ensure a 100% smoke-free environment.
The announcement was made today (Monday, September 22) at the DSS headquarters during an event titled “Strengthening the Tobacco Control Law for the Protection of Public Health and Declaring the Department of Social Services Tobacco-Free,” organized by Nari Maitree. It was stated that the sale and use of any tobacco products within the premises of the DSS will be strictly prohibited so that no officials, employees, or visitors are exposed to the dangers of secondhand smoke. The department will operate in full compliance with the National Tobacco Control Guidelines.
At the meeting it was informed that the existing Tobacco Control Act 2005 (amended in 2013) has several proposed amendments from the Health Services Division to bring it into greater alignment with the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). Key proposals include: eliminating designated smoking zones in public places, a complete ban on the display and advertisement of all tobacco products, protection of youth from the harmful effects of e-cigarettes, banning the sale of single sticks of cigarettes and bidis, prohibiting tobacco companies’ corporate social responsibility (CSR), and increasing the size of pictorial health warnings on tobacco product packaging to 90 percent.
In his keynote speech, DSS Director General Md. Saidur Rahman Khan declared the office tobacco-free and said, “Smoking harms not only smokers but also non-smokers nearby. Ensuring a tobacco-free environment is essential to protect non-smokers’ health. Out of responsibility to safeguard the health of our officials, staff, and visitors, we have decided to declare the Department of Social Services smoke-free. We plan to expand this initiative further in the future.”
Shibani Bhattacharya, former Additional Secretary and Convener of the Nari Maitree Mothers’ Forum Against Tobacco, stated, “By declaring its offices tobacco-free, the Department of Social Services has set a remarkable example. We hope this initiative will inspire other institutions to follow suit, triggering a broader social movement towards a tobacco-free Bangladesh.”
Tasfia Nowrin, a member of Nari Maitree Youth Forum Against Tobacco, said, “Every year, 38.4 million people are affected by secondhand smoke, with women and children being the most vulnerable. Even in restaurants and public places where smoking zones exist; non-smokers remain exposed to harmful smoke. I thank the DSS for this important decision and urge the Health Services Division to pass the proposed amendments to the Tobacco Control Act without delay.”
In her presidential remarks, Shaheen Akhter Dolly, Executive Director of Nari Maitree, noted, “Bangladesh was the first country to sign the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in 2004 and approved the implementation guidelines for Article 5.3 in 2008, which call for protecting policymaking from the vested interests of the tobacco industry. Unfortunately, tobacco companies continue to interfere with this process. Recently, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) decided to hold meetings with tobacco companies. For the sake of public health, this decision must be reversed, and the proposed amendments to the Tobacco Control Act should be passed swiftly.”
She also expressed gratitude to the DSS Director General, and all concerned about making the department tobacco-free.
Other attendees included Professor Dr. Khaleda Islam (Institute of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Dhaka), Convener of the Nari Maitree Teachers’ Forum Against Tobacco; Professor Dr. Tonushree Halder (Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University), Co-Convener of the same forum; and officials from various DSS divisions.
During the program, Nasrin Akhter, Project Coordinator of the Nari Maitree Tobacco Control Project, presented a multimedia presentation highlighting the dangers of tobacco and explained the urgent need for amendments to the law. She also made several recommendations to prevent any activities violating the existing law and to ensure accountability in policymaking.
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