ঢাকাসোমবার , ৯ নভেম্বর ২০২৬
Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM) has expressed its sincere gratitude and appreciation to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for declaring the National Parliament Complex a 100% smoke-free area.
In a press release issued by Dhaka Ahsania Mission on Monday (9 November 2026), the organisation stated that the National Parliament Complex is one of the country’s most important institutions, representing democracy, lawmaking and national leadership. Declaring this significant area 100% smoke-free is a timely and commendable public health initiative. This decision reflects the government’s positive commitment to tobacco control and marks an important step towards building a tobacco-free Bangladesh.
The press release further stated that tobacco smoke contains approximately 7,000 chemicals, around 250 of which are harmful to human health and can cause serious diseases and even death among both smokers and non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke. Approximately 200,000 people die annually in Bangladesh due to tobacco-related causes. According to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), 42.7% of non-smoking men and women are exposed to second-hand smoke in indoor workplaces, while 21.6% face such exposure in government offices.
The organisation emphasised that protecting non-smokers from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke is essential for safeguarding public health. Tobacco use not only harms smokers but also exposes non-smokers, including women, children, older people and other members of society, to serious health risks. Therefore, ensuring a smoke-free environment within the National Parliament Complex will play a positive role in protecting public health.
The Prime Minister made the announcement on Sunday afternoon during a meeting of the Parliamentary Business Advisory Committee at the National Parliament Building. Dhaka Ahsania Mission expressed hope that this initiative would further strengthen the country’s tobacco control efforts and contribute significantly to building a healthier, safer, tobacco-free Bangladesh for future generations.
