DSS bans tobacco use on its premises

The Department of Social Services (DSS) has officially declared its offices a 100% smoke-free zone, aiming to protect staff, visitors, and the public from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke. This decision aligns the department fully with the National Tobacco Control Guidelines.

The announcement was made on Monday at the DSS headquarters during an event titled “Strengthening the Tobacco Control Law for the Protection of Public Health and Declaring the Department of Social Services Tobacco-Free,” organized by Nari Maitree.

From now on, the sale and use of tobacco products will be strictly banned on DSS premises. The department pledged to enforce this policy rigorously to ensure a safe and healthy environment.

The event also highlighted proposed amendments to the Tobacco Control Act 2005, including banning smoking zones in public places, prohibiting tobacco advertising, protecting youth from e-cigarettes, and increasing health warnings on tobacco packaging to 90 percent. These amendments aim to bring Bangladesh’s tobacco laws in line with the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).

In his keynote speech, DSS Director General Md. Saidur Rahman Khan said, “Smoking harms not only smokers but also non-smokers nearby. Declaring the DSS smoke-free is a crucial step to safeguard health, and we plan to expand this initiative further.”

Shibani Bhattacharya, former Additional Secretary and Convener of the Nari Maitree Mothers’ Forum Against Tobacco, praised DSS for setting an example, while Tasfia Nowrin of Nari Maitree Youth Forum urged swift approval of the proposed legal amendments.

Shaheen Akhter Dolly, Executive Director of Nari Maitree, expressed concern over recent government meetings with tobacco companies, calling for a reversal to protect public health.

Experts from various universities and DSS officials also attended the event, which featured a presentation on tobacco’s health risks by Nari Maitree’s Nasrin Akhter.

The DSS’s tobacco-free declaration marks a significant milestone in Bangladesh’s ongoing efforts to combat tobacco-related harm.