NGO News

Sep222025 by No Comments

Demand for the Immediate Passage of the Proposed Amendments to the Tobacco Control Act

DORP Youth Forum has called for the swift passage of the proposed amendments to the Tobacco Control Act by the Ministry of Health, free from the influence of tobacco companies, in order to protect public health. They made this demand to help achieve a tobacco-free Bangladesh and to safeguard the next generation from the deadly grip of tobacco.On Monday (22 September 2025) at 11:00 a.m., during a human chain program organized by the DORP Youth Forum in front of the National Board of Revenue building at Agargaon, Dhaka, youth advocates reiterated their demand for the immediate passage of the proposed amendments to the Tobacco Control Act.Appealing to the Honorable Chief Adviser not to delay the process, the anti-tobacco youth advocates urged him to give utmost importance to the urgen...

Sep212025 by No Comments

Doctors Demand Boycott meetings with Tobacco Companies on Law Amendment

Breaking News, NGO News

Doctors and health professionals have demanded the swift passage of the proposed amendments to the Tobacco Control Act for the protection of public health and prevention of non-communicable diseases, as well as refraining from holding meetings with tobacco companies regarding the amendment process.On Sunday (21 September), this demand was raised at a solidarity event organized by Dhaka Ahsania Mission in front of the National Parliament Building, calling for the immediate amendment of the Tobacco Control Act.Iqbal Masud, Director of Health and WASH Sector of Dhaka Ahsania Mission, said that the use of tobacco products is one of the main causes of various non-communicable diseases, including heart disease, stroke, and chronic respiratory diseases. In Bangladesh, more than 161,000 pe...

Sep202025 by No Comments

Experts Urge Strengthening the Law to Build a Tobacco-Free Generation

Breaking News, NGO News

Tobacco works as a major impediment towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Bangladesh. In particular, tobacco frustrates SDG Target 3.4 which is to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by one-third within 2030. In Bangladesh, 71% of all deaths are attributed to non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular diseases and cancer, with tobacco use being a major contributing factor. On average, tobacco claims the lives of 442 individuals every day. With a view to achieving SDGs and preventing such massive loss of lives and building a tobacco-free generation, there is no alternative to strengthening tobacco control law. Experts said this today (20 September 2025, Saturday) during a roundtable titled "Building a Tobacco-Free Generation: Citizen...

Sep172025 by No Comments

Dhaka WASA Declared 100% Smoke-Free

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Dhaka WASA has officially declared its headquarters to be 100% smoke-free. The announcement was made by Md. Amirul Islam, Deputy Managing Director (Human Resources and Administration) of Dhaka WASA, during a stakeholder meeting held on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at the Buriganga Hall of the WASA building. The event was jointly organized by the Development Organisation of the Rural Poor-DORP and Dhaka WASA to strengthen tobacco control activities and advance the goal of a tobacco-free Bangladesh.In his speech as Chief Guest, Md. Amirul Islam emphasized that the harms of smoking extend not only to smokers but also to non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke. He noted that thousands of people visit the WASA building every day, and by ensuring a smoke-free workplace, both employees and ...

Sep162025 by No Comments

Over a Hundred Physicians Demand Amendment of Tobacco Control Law

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To reduce tobacco-related diseases and deaths, more than one hundred physicians of the Bangladesh Diabetic Association (BADAS) have urged urgent amendment of the Tobacco Control Law. BADAS President and National Professor AK Azad Khan, BIRDEM Director General Professor Mirza Mahbubul Hasan, and Professor Dr. ArupRatan Choudhury, along with specialist doctors of BIRDEM Hospital, submitted a letter to the Health, Finance, and Commerce Advisors.Dr. ArupRatan Choudhury noted that tobacco-related illnesses are rapidly increasing, creating heavy pressure on hospitals and families. With 70% of healthcare costs borne by patients, rising disease burden and premature deaths threaten national development. He emphasized that all ministries must act together on tobacco control to protect public hea...

Sep112025 by No Comments

National Heart Foundation Welcomes Directive for 100% Tobacco-Free Health Facilities

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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, hea...

Sep92025 by No Comments

Demand for Swift Passage of Proposed Amendment to the Tobacco Control Law

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To safeguard public health and move towards a tobacco-free Bangladesh, Development Organisation of the Rural Poor-DORP organized a national seminar on Tuesday, 9 September 2025, at the CIRDAP Auditorium in Dhaka. The event was titled “The Urgent Need to Pass Proposed Amendment to the Tobacco Control Law for Public Health Protection.”The seminar began with a welcome address by A.H.M. Noman, Founder and Chief Executive of DORP, followed by a keynote presentation by Mohammad Zobair Hasan, Deputy Executive Director of DORP. In his paper, Hasan highlighted six major proposals included in the draft amendment prepared by the Health Services Division in line with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). These are: eliminating designated smoking areas in public places and transpo...

Sep82025 by No Comments

647 Public Transport Drivers Trained by DAM and BRTA

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With the aim of proper implementation of Smoking and Use of Tobacco Products (Control) Act (Amendment-2013) initiative of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority-BRTA and Dhaka Ahsania Mission, Health Sector training has been provided to 647 public transport drivers at the Zoar Sahara BRTC Bus Depot in capital on September 8, 2025.Adut Rahman Imon, Program Officer of the Tobacco Control Project of the Health Sector of DAM, presented a documentary on the implementation of the Tobacco Control Act and health damage among professional drivers.In the training public transport drivers (Bus, CNG, Laguna, Tempu) are informed about the bad effects of direct and indirect smoking, health hazards, and tobacco control laws. Passengers, especially women and children, are indirectly exposed to smoke ...

Sep42025 by No Comments

Over Half a Million Hypertension Patients Receive Free Treatment Under Bangladesh Hypertension Control Initiative

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Under the Bangladesh Hypertension Control Initiative (BHCI), a total of 518,148 patients with high blood pressure have so far received free treatment and medicines from Upazila Health Complexes, with 57 percent achieving controlled blood pressure. In Dhaka Division alone, 113,192 patients are currently under treatment, of whom 58 percent have their blood pressure under control.The information was shared at a divisional coordination meeting held today (Thursday) at the office of the Divisional Director (Health), Dhaka. The meeting discussed the progress and future plans of the Bangladesh Hypertension Control Initiative, implemented under the Non-Communicable Disease Control (NCDC) Program of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), with technical support from the National Hear...

Sep12025 by No Comments

Humanitarian Leaders Calledfor Gender-Sensitive Protection for Rohingya Women

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On the eighth year of displacement from Myanmar’s Rakhine State, ActionAid Bangladesh has released a new study exploring the protection risks and future aspirations of Rohingya women and adolescent girls living in Bangladesh. The research sheds light on the multiple challenges shaping their lives. According to the study, sexual harassment was identified across all camps as the ‘Top Concern’. Child marriage and polygamy have become widespread, while nearly half of respondents (48%) stressed the urgent need for counselling for men and boys. The proliferation of armed groups and drugs within the camps further threatens the security and wellbeing of women and girls. On the question of the future, most women (ranging from 50% to 82% depending on the camp) desiredsafe and dignified return to Mya...