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DGJUTE pledges 100 per cent tobacco-free offices

Published : Tuesday, 4 August, 2026 at 8:22 PM

DU Correspondent

DGJUTE director general (DG) additional secretary Syed Md Nurul Basir has pledged to declare all of its offices 100 per cent tobacco-free as part of efforts to strengthen enforcement of the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act, 2005, amended in 2026.

On Tuesday he announced this while chairing a discussion organised by the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh on ensuring tobacco-free workplaces at DGJUTE conference room.

Syed Md Nurul Basir said, "The department will soon issue an official order declaring all of its offices tobacco-free. Necessary instructions will be issued to ensure a tobacco-free working environment, and 'No Smoking' signs will be displayed at visible locations in every office."

He added, "Tobacco harms not only its users but also their families, colleagues and future generations. The active participation of all officers and employees will be essential to making this initiative successful."

Prof Dr Sohel Reza Choudhury, head of the Department of Epidemiology and Research, National Heart Foundation Hospital & Research Institute said, "Effective enforcement of tobacco control laws is crucial for achieving Bangladesh's goal of becoming tobacco-free."

National Heart Foundation informed 35.3 per cent of Bangladesh’s adult population uses tobacco, while nearly two lakh people die each year from tobacco-related diseases, citing the Tobacco Atlas. Around 4 crore non-smokers are exposed to second-hand smoke, and tobacco use remains a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, cancer and other non-communicable diseases.

In addition, tobacco use and production caused an estimated TK 87,000 crore in health and environmental losses in 2024, compared with TK 41,000 crore in government revenue from tobacco.

-NRE/SA

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Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury

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