The National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh has welcomed the Directorate General of Health Services’ directive to make all public and private hospitals and healthcare facilities 100% tobacco-free, calling it a “significant step” for public health.
In a press release signed today (Thursday, 11 September 2025) by the President of the National Heart Foundation, Professor Dr. Khandakar Abdul Awal Rizvi, it was stated that following a letter from the Foundation on 23 July 2025, the Health Directorate has instructed all hospitals, medical and dental colleges, specialized hospitals, nursing colleges, and other healthcare institutions across the country to implement full tobacco-free environments.
The directive aims to ensure a 100% tobacco and smoke-free environment for doctors, nurses, healthcare staff, patients, and visitors. The notice was recently issued by Professor Dr. Syed Zakir Hossain, Line Director of the Non-Communicable Disease Control (NCDC) program under the Directorate General of Health Services.
Professor Rizvi said, “Hospitals are meant to be places of healing. The presence of tobacco or smoking poses a serious threat to patients and attendants. Secondhand smoke increases the risk of heart disease, cancer, respiratory problems, and other health complications. Implementation of this directive will ensure truly tobacco-free healthcare facilities.”
To implement fully tobacco-free health facilities, the directive requires healthcare centers to install visible tobacco-free signage at entrances and key locations, not designate smoking areas (DSAs), and prohibit the sale of tobacco products within the facility and its premises. In addition, hospitals are tasked with advising and supporting staff, patients, and visitors to quit tobacco use.
According to WHO-SEARO (2018), 161,000 people die annually in Bangladesh due to tobacco use, with 21% of deaths caused by secondhand smoke. GATS (2017) reports 35.3% of people aged 15 and above use tobacco, and secondhand smoke exposure affects workplaces (42.7%), hospitality sectors (49.7%), vehicles (44%), and healthcare facilities (12.7%).
The National Heart Foundation hopes the initiative will transform healthcare facilities across Bangladesh into fully tobacco-free environments, marking a significant advancement in public health protection.