National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh (NHFB) has welcomed the decision of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) to declare its headquarters as well as all divisional and district offices across the country as Smoke and Tobacco-Free Areas, a press release said.

In a press release issued on Saturday, 11 July 2026, NHFB said that through an office order issued on 2 July, the DNCRP, in accordance with the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Act, 2026 has prohibited smoking and the use of all tobacco products within the premises and compounds of its headquarters and all divisional and district offices. The office order also instructs all offices to display visible signage declaring the premises as “Smoke and Tobacco-Free Areas.”

The press release noted that on 28 June, the Tobacco Control Program of the National Heart Foundation Hospital & Research Institute, in collaboration with the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection, organized a discussion meeting titled “Measures to Ensure a 100% Smoke-Free Environment in the Offices of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection in Line with the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Act, 2026.” During the meeting, participants discussed issuing an official order to declare all DNCRP offices completely smoke and tobacco-free as part of implementing the amended tobacco control law. NHFB welcomed the subsequent issuance of the office order, considering it a fulfillment of the commitment made during the meeting.

According to NHFB, the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Act, 2026 prohibits any person from smoking or using tobacco products in any public place or public transport, whether motorized or non-motorized. The amended law also broadens the definition of public places to include government offices, workplace premises, building verandas, entrances and exits, and adjacent open spaces.

Furthermore, Section 6B of the amended law prohibits the sale of tobacco and tobacco products within 100 meters of educational institutions, hospitals, clinics, sports venues, and children’s parks, a measure expected to reduce the accessibility of tobacco products to children and young people.

Professor Khondker Abdul Awal Rizvi, President of the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh, said, ensuring 100 percent smoke-free environments in government institutions is crucial for protecting public health and preventing non-communicable diseases. The initiative taken by the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection sets a positive example for implementing the amended tobacco control law. We hope that other governments and private institutions will follow this initiative and take effective measures to establish completely smoke- and tobacco-free workplaces.