The Department of Jute has announced plans to declare all of its offices 100 percent tobacco-free in line with the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act, 2005, as amended in 2026, to protect public health and prevent exposure to second-hand smoke.
The announcement was made by Syed Md Nurul Basir, Additional Secretary and Director General of the Department of Jute, while chairing a discussion titled "Measures to Ensure a 100% Tobacco-Free Environment in the Offices of the Department of Jute under the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Act, 2026." The programme was organised by the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh at the department's conference room on Tuesday.
Under the initiative, the department will issue an official order declaring all of its offices tobacco-free and install "No Smoking" signs at prominent locations across its premises.
During the discussion, the National Heart Foundation highlighted the country's growing tobacco burden, noting that 35.3 percent of Bangladesh's adult population uses tobacco and nearly 200,000 people die each year from tobacco-related diseases, according to the Tobacco Atlas.
The organisation said tobacco use is a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases, including heart disease, cancer, stroke and chronic respiratory illnesses, while around 40 million non-smokers are exposed to second-hand smoke. It also claimed that tobacco use and production caused an estimated Tk 87 crore in health and environmental losses in 2024, compared with Tk 41 crore in government revenue from tobacco.
Speaking at the event, Professor Dr Sohel Reza Choudhury, Head of the Department of Epidemiology and Research at the National Heart Foundation Hospital & Research Institute, said Bangladesh could achieve its goal of becoming tobacco-free only through effective enforcement of tobacco control laws.
"Making government and private offices, as well as all public places, completely smoke-free will not only protect non-smokers from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke but also encourage tobacco users to quit," he said.
He added that non-communicable diseases remain the leading cause of premature deaths in Bangladesh, with tobacco use contributing significantly to heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes.
"The body begins to recover within 24 hours of quitting smoking, and the risk of heart disease falls significantly within a few years. Creating 100 percent tobacco-free workplaces in all government institutions is therefore essential to protect non-smokers and encourage smokers to quit," he said.
Director General Syed Md Nurul Basir said the department would soon issue the necessary instructions to implement the initiative.
"We will declare all offices of the Department of Jute tobacco-free through an official order, and 'No Smoking' signs will be displayed at visible locations in every office," he said.
He also stressed that tobacco harms not only users but also their families, colleagues and future generations.
"Alongside discouraging tobacco use in the workplace, we must raise greater public awareness about its harmful effects. The active participation of all officers and employees will be essential to making this initiative successful. Ensuring tobacco-free workplaces is vital for protecting both public health and workplace safety," he added.
