The Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has reaffirmed its commitment to creating a smoke-free and tobacco-free environment by strengthening the enforcement of the tobacco control law.
The commitment was reiterated at a capacity-building workshop titled “The Role of Dhaka North City Corporation in Ensuring a Tobacco- and Smoke-Free Environment”, jointly organised by Dhaka Ahsania Mission and the DNCC at the corporation’s conference hall on Monday.
The workshop was chaired by Brig Gen Imrul Kayes Chowdhury, Chief Health Officer of the DNCC.
Delivering the keynote presentation, Shariful Islam, Coordinator of the Tobacco Control Project at Dhaka Ahsania Mission, highlighted the current tobacco use scenario in Bangladesh, the health risks of secondhand smoke and the challenges of implementing tobacco control laws.
Citing the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2017, Shariful Islam said approximately 37.8 million people in Bangladesh use tobacco products, including 19.2 million smokers, while nearly 40 million people are exposed to secondhand smoke.
He noted that tobacco-related diseases claim around 200,000 premature lives every year, while the economic burden resulting from tobacco-related illnesses and environmental damage amounts to nearly Tk 870 billion annually.
Speakers at the workshop stressed that effective enforcement of tobacco control legislation, increased public awareness and coordinated action among government agencies and civil society organisations are essential to building a healthier, tobacco-free city.
Representatives of Dhaka Ahsania Mission pledged continued support for the DNCC by providing technical assistance, training programmes, public awareness campaigns, warning messages and educational materials to facilitate the effective implementation of the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act.
The DNCC, meanwhile, will lead the field-level implementation of these initiatives to ensure stronger compliance with tobacco control regulations across the capital.
Both organisations reaffirmed their commitment to working together to promote a healthier urban environment and protect public health through effective tobacco control measures.
Among those present were Dr Imdadul Haque, Deputy Chief Health Officer of the DNCC; Dr Mahmuda Ali, Health Officer; Mostafizur Rahman, former Chairman of BCIC; Iqbal Masud, Director of the Health Sector at Dhaka Ahsania Mission; senior officials from various DNCC departments; and members of the Ahsania Mission Youth Forum.
