The Railway authorities have taken a landmark decision over tobacco control. All the places and areas under the Railway authorities, including train coaches, rail stations, platforms, offices and other establishments of the Bangladesh Railway, have been declared tobacco-free.
Issuing the order, it has been said that action will be taken against officers concerned of the Bangladesh Railway, including station masters, if the order is not executed.
The order of the Bangladesh Railway signed by Asim Kumar Talukder, general Manager (GM) if Western Railway; was issued recently.
As per the law, smoking in all public places and public transports and sale of tobacco products are banned. The Bangladesh Railway authorities are committed to implement the ‘Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act’ in the areas of the Railway’s jurisdiction. So, smoking and sale of bidi, cigarette and other tobacco products won’t be allowed in all offices of the Railway, trains, rail stations, platforms, station canteens and toilets as these are the public places as per the law, the order states.
All have to refrain from smoking and tobacco use in the trains and Railway areas. If anyone defies the order, the person will be brought under legal action, it was said in the order.
The Bangladesh Railway’s order also states that the leased shops and canteens have to come to an agreement that they won’t sell tobacco products. The vending shops in railway stations must also maintain it. If anyone defies the order, the license of the shop will be cancelled.
The Railway officers concerned were asked to execute the order. Otherwise, legal action will be taken against them. Public health experts, anti-tobacco activists and researchers on tobacco control welcomed the initiative of Bangladesh Railway.
Talking to Bangladesh Post on Sunday (February 12), Syed Mahbubul Alam Tahin, technical adviser at The Union; said that over nine crore people travel by trains every year. So, all trains in the country need to be made free from smoking and tobacco use. Such a decision of the Railway authorities is commendable. The decision will play a vital role over tobacco control, said the public health expert and researcher on tobacco control.
