A discussion meeting on Tuesday was held to ensure a 100% tobacco free environment at the office of the Divisional Commissioner, all Deputy Commissioners’ offices and other government offices across Chattogram Division.
The meeting titled “Measures to Ensure a 100% Tobacco-Free Environment in the Chattogram Divisional Commissioner’s Office, District Commissioner’s Offices and Government Offices under the Tobacco Control (Amendment) Act 2026” was organized by National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh (NHFB) at the conference room of Chattogram Circuit House.
Dr. Md. Ziauddin, Divisional Commissioner of Chattogram, chaired the meeting. The meeting was attended by the Deputy Commissioners of all 11 districts of the division, along with heads of various divisional-level government offices.
Representatives of the NHFB said that according to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2017, 37.8 million adults in Bangladesh use tobacco. The same survey found that around 38.4 million adults are exposed to secondhand smoke. Among adults, 42.7% are exposed to secondhand smoke at workplaces, 49.7% in restaurants and 44% on public transport.
The meeting also cited findings from a study published in The Lancet Public Health in 2026, which estimated that nearly 1.66 million deaths worldwide in 2023 were attributable to secondhand smoke exposure. The participants noted that there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke and stressed the importance of ensuring completely smoke-free environments, particularly to protect women and children.
Prof. Sohel Reza Choudhury, Head of the Department of Epidemiology and Research at National Heart Foundation Hospital & Research Institute, said that Designated Smoking Areas (DSAs) cannot effectively protect non-smokers from exposure to secondhand smoke. He stressed the need to ensure completely tobacco-free environments in all public places, including government and private offices.
The meeting emphasized several measures to ensure tobacco-free environments in government offices, including issuing office orders, installing clearly visible “No Smoking” signs, designating focal persons for tobacco control activities, informing officers and employees about tobacco control measures, establishing mechanisms for receiving and addressing complaints, and conducting regular monitoring and reporting.
Dr. Md. Ziauddin, Divisional Commissioner of Chattogram, said that under the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Act, 2026, it is important to ensure a safe, healthy and tobacco-free environment for government officials and employees as well as members of the public seeking services at government offices. He said that ensuring tobacco-free environments in government offices would contribute to the government’s tobacco control efforts and convey a positive message to the public.
Representatives and heads of the Chattogram Divisional Commissioner’s Office, various District Commissioner’s Offices and other government offices attended the meeting.
Among others, Dr. Mohammad Mushtuq Hosain, Consultant, Tobacco Control Program, Department of Epidemiology and Research, National Heart Foundation Hospital & Research Institute; Dr. Aruna Sarker, Coordinator, Tobacco Control Program; Abu Jafor, Senior Communications Officer, Tobacco Control Program; Dr. Md. Shahinul Islam, Divisional Program Officer, Bangladesh Hypertension Control Initiative; Dr. Udit Proyash Sikdar, Surveillance Medical Officer; and Research Officer Syeda Mosallama Sharmin were present at the meeting.