Give Police Limited Power to Fine Smokers on Public Transport
Kazi Mohammad Hasibul Huq
Smoking on public transport is prohibited in Bangladesh, and the law provides for fines for violations. Yet despite these legal provisions, smoking continues to occur on buses, minibuses and other forms of public transport. The problem is particularly difficult when a violation takes place on a moving vehicle. A passenger or transport worker may smoke for only a few minutes, making it difficult for conventional enforcement mechanisms to respond in time. This raises a fundamental question: when a violation occurs, who can act immediately, who can document the offence, and who can impose the appropriate penalty?
The issue has become more important following the Smoking and Tobacco Products (Control) (Amendment) Act, 2026, which was gazetted on April 10, 2026. Th...