Dhaka WASA committed to ensuring tobacco-free workplace

Dhaka WASA is committed to creating a smoke- and tobacco-free environment across all its offices to protect public health and ensure a healthy workplace, said AKAM Fazlul Haque, deputy managing director (Human Resources and Administration) of Dhaka WASA.

He said relevant provisions of the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act, 2005 (Amendment 2026) would be properly implemented to achieve the goal.

He made the remarks as the chief guest at a discussion titled “Ensuring a Smoke and Tobacco Products Usage Free Environment in All Dhaka WASA Offices” jointly organised by Dhaka WASA and Development Organisation of the Rural Poor (DORP) at WASA Bhaban in the capital on Wednesday.

Zeba Afroza, coordinator of DORP’s Tobacco Control Project, presented the keynote paper at the meeting.

She said a significant portion of Bangladesh’s adult population used tobacco products, while many people were exposed to secondhand smoke at workplaces, public places and on public transport.

According to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2017, around 37.8 million adults in Bangladesh used tobacco products, while about 38.4 million were exposed to secondhand smoke at workplaces, public places and on public transport, she said.

She said 42.7 percent of adults were exposed to secondhand smoke at indoor workplaces, 44 percent on public transport and around 49 percent in restaurants.

Citing a study published in The Lancet, Zeba said around 1.7 million people worldwide died from exposure to secondhand smoke in 2023.

She said, “Tobacco-related diseases and premature deaths are putting significant pressure on public health and the economy. Around 200,000 people die prematurely every year from tobacco-related diseases, while tobacco use causes an estimated Tk870 billion in economic losses through healthcare costs and lost productivity.”

As tobacco control was an important public health priority, she expressed hope that Dhaka WASA’s initiative would set a positive example for other public and private institutions across the country.

The meeting was chaired by Dhaka WASA Secretary Muhammad Abdul Hai Milton.

He said the prime minister, in a message marking World No Tobacco Day 2026, had stated that the government was committed to protecting children, adolescents and future generations from the harmful effects of tobacco and nicotine.

He said the prohibition of smoking and tobacco use in public places and public transport was part of the government’s commitment to fulfilling that pledge.

Speakers said raising public awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco, strengthening Dhaka WASA’s institutional capacity for tobacco control and ensuring coordinated efforts among relevant stakeholders were crucial to creating a healthy, smoke- and tobacco-free workplace.

They also stressed the need for proper implementation of relevant laws and regulations.

DORP representatives said coordinated initiatives would be taken to install public notices, warning signs and other necessary materials at all Dhaka WASA offices to ensure a smoke- and tobacco-free environment.

They said continuous activities would also be carried out to ensure a healthy, safe and tobacco-free workplace for employees.

Officials from different levels of Dhaka WASA and representatives of DORP attended the meeting.