The Department of Jute has pledged to declare all of its offices 100% tobacco-free as part of its commitment to protecting public health and shielding non-smokers from exposure to second-hand smoke under the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act, 2005 (Amended in 2026), a press release said.

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,” organized by the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh at the Department’s conference room on Tuesday.

As part of the initiative, all offices under the Department of Jute will be declared tobacco-free through an official order, and “No Smoking” signs will be displayed prominently across departmental premises.

During the meeting, the National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh highlighted the country’s growing tobacco burden. It noted that 35.3% of Bangladesh’s adult population uses tobacco, while nearly 200,000 people die every year from tobacco-related diseases, according to the Tobacco Atlas. Tobacco use is a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases, including heart disease, cancer, stroke, and chronic respiratory illnesses. Around 40 million non-smokers are also exposed to second-hand smoke. In addition, tobacco use and production caused an estimated BDT 87 crore in health and environmental losses in 2024, compared with BDT 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’s goal of becoming a tobacco-free country can only be achieved through effective enforcement of the tobacco control law.

“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.

Professor Choudhury added that non-communicable diseases remain the leading cause of premature deaths in Bangladesh, with tobacco use being a major contributor 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% tobacco-free workplaces in all government institutions is therefore essential to protect non-smokers and encourage smokers to quit,” he said.

In his remarks, Director General Syed Md. Nurul Basir said the Department would soon issue an official order declaring all of its offices tobacco-free.

“Necessary instructions will be issued to ensure a tobacco-free working environment, and ‘No Smoking’ signs will be displayed at visible locations in every office,” he said.

He added that tobacco harms not only its 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 said.