All post offices declared tobacco-free to protect public health

To protect public health and safeguard non-smokers from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke, the Directorate of Posts has officially declared all offices and post offices under its jurisdiction as 100 per cent smoke-free and tobacco-free zones.

The declaration was made on Wednesday (July 29) by Director General Kazi Asadul Islam during an event titled "Sustainable Tobacco Control Initiative: Declaration of All Offices and Post Offices Under the Directorate of Posts as Smoke-Free and Tobacco-Free" held at the Directorate of Posts conference room.

According to the declaration, under the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act, 2005 (Amendment 2026), smoking and the use of tobacco products in public places are prohibited and punishable by law. In line with this legislation and to protect public health, the purchase, sale and use of all tobacco products will be completely prohibited in all offices and post offices under the Directorate of Posts. This measure aims to protect employees and visitors from exposure to second-hand smoke.

The event was attended by Secretary of the Posts and Telecommunications Division Bilquis Jahan Rimi as the chief guest and Additional Secretary of the Health Services Division Sheikh Momena Moni as the special guest.

During the event, it was noted that according to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2017, approximately 38.4 million non-smokers in Bangladesh are exposed to second-hand smoke in public transport, restaurants and other public places. According to the Tobacco Atlas 2025, tobacco-related diseases cause nearly 200,000 deaths annually in Bangladesh, while several hundred thousand more people suffer from disabilities due to tobacco use.

Against this backdrop, the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act, 2005 (Amendment 2026) was enacted, banning smoking and the use of tobacco products in all public places and both motorised and non-motorised vehicles.

It was also noted that in his message on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day 2026, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman reaffirmed the government's commitment to protecting children, adolescents and future generations from the harmful effects of tobacco and nicotine. The ban on smoking and tobacco use in public places and all forms of transport reflects this commitment.

In her remarks, Secretary Bilquis Jahan Rimi stated that the harmful effects of tobacco extend beyond individual health, negatively impacting families, workplaces, the environment and national development. She emphasised that the government considers tobacco control a key public health priority and expressed hope that the Directorate of Posts' initiative would serve as a model for other public and private institutions.

In his presidential address, Director General Kazi Asadul Islam said that declaring the Directorate of Posts smoke-free and tobacco-free is not merely an administrative decision but a strong commitment to creating a healthy, safe and citizen-friendly working environment. He noted that the initiative will ensure a healthier workplace for employees at approximately 10,000 post offices across the country while protecting millions of daily service recipients from the harmful effects of tobacco and second-hand smoke. He added that the initiative would set an important precedent for establishing tobacco-free environments in government service institutions.

Also present at the event were Shaheen Akter Dolly, Executive Director of Nari Maitree; Shibani Bhattacharya, Convener of the Anti-Tobacco Mothers' Forum and former Additional Secretary; representatives of the Anti-Tobacco Youth Forum; and officials from various departments of the Directorate of Posts. All participants welcomed the initiative and emphasised the importance of maintaining a tobacco-free and healthy workplace.