ঢাকাবুধবার , ১৭ জুন ২০২৬
A strategic workshop was held in the capital today to ensure the strict enforcement of tobacco control laws across Dhaka’s busiest bus terminals. Organized by Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) in collaboration with the ARK Foundation, the day-long event took place at Hotel Lake Castle in Gulshan-2 under the “Tobacco-Free Cities” research project.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Rumana Huque, Executive Director of the ARK Foundation and Professor of Economics at the University of Dhaka, emphasized the critical need for evidence-based research to protect the public from secondhand smoke in city corporation and municipal areas. She urged city corporations to take prompt, effective action to address the issue.
Speaking as a special guest, Mir Alamgir Hossain, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Railways, stated “Our experience with the railways proves that with strong leadership, regular monitoring, and strict enforcement of the law, any public transport hub can be made tobacco-free. Making bus terminals smoke-free should now be our next target.”
Mr. Jahangir Alam, Member Secretary of the Dhaka District Bus-Minibus Road Transport Workers’ Union (Mohakhali Bus Terminal), highlighted practical solutions. “It will be much easier to achieve smoke-free terminals if we provide regular training to drivers, conductors, and staff, strictly regulate tobacco sales at terminal shops, and conduct regular mobile courts,” he suggested.
The Chief Guest of the event, DNCC’s Deputy Chief Health Officer Dr. Md. Imdadul Haque, mentioned “Smoking in public transport and restaurants used to be a common sight, but today, society no longer accepts it. This shift proves that awareness and collective action can drive real social change. Through our combined efforts, we will completely free the bus terminals under DNCC from the curse of smoking.”
Reaffirming the city’s commitment, DNCC Health Officer Dr. Mahmuda Ali assured that the city corporation would provide full support by issuing necessary notices, organizing training sessions, running awareness campaigns, and enforcing strict legal actions to keep terminals smoke-free.
The workshop concluded with interactive group sessions where public health experts and city officials mapped out a coordinated battle plan to clear the air at bus terminals. Key recommendations include launching targeted awareness campaigns for drivers, workers, and passengers, and clamping down on tobacco sales inside terminals and nearby shops. Participants also urged the immediate installation of prominent “No Smoking” signs and regular audio announcements to warn violators of legal penalties, while calling on bus owners to step up and actively enforce a smoke-free environment for all.
