As part of a capacity-building initiative to ensure a sustainable smoke-free public transport system, a total of 750 public transport drivers have been trained under the initiative of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) with the support of Dhaka Ahsania Mission.
According to a press release issued by Dhaka Ahsania Mission, the program titled “Professional Skills and Awareness Development Training for Professional Drivers” was conducted in five phases during April 2026 at the Joar Sahara BRTC Bus Depot in the capital.
During the training sessions, Adut Rahman Imon, Program Officer of the Tobacco Control Project of the organization, presented audio-visual materials highlighting the implementation of tobacco control laws and the health hazards of tobacco use. Participants were also informed about the amended Tobacco Control Act 2026, passed in the National Parliament on April 10, 2026.
The training engaged drivers of buses, CNGs, legunas, and tempos, providing detailed information on the harmful effects of both direct and secondhand smoking, health risks associated with tobacco use, and key provisions of the existing law. Speakers emphasized that smoking by drivers and their assistants exposes passengers—especially women and children—to secondhand smoke, putting them at serious health risks.
Through video presentations, the harmful impacts of smoking in public transport and the related legal obligations were clearly demonstrated. Awareness was also raised that smoking in public places—including bus terminals, airports, railway stations, seaports, and government offices—as well as other crowded areas, is a punishable offense by law.
The press release further noted that such initiatives play a vital role in effectively implementing smoke-free policies in public transport and promoting behavioral change. Dhaka Ahsania Mission continues to carry out such programs as part of its ongoing efforts to protect public health.