Tobacco Control Project
A step towards Tobacco-Free Dhaka
The Tobacco Control Project of Development Activities of Society (DAS) works to make Bangladesh’s public transport smoke-free. It supports the enforcement of the Smoking and Using of Tobacco Products (Control) Act, 2005 and the government’s vision of a tobacco-free Bangladesh by 2040.
Working with the Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Alliance (BATA), the project began in Dhaka’s bus terminals and has since reached the launch terminals and ferries. It brings together the transport authorities — BRTA, BRTC, DTCA, BIWTA, BIWTC and BMET — bus and launch owners, transport workers, the media and passengers.
This section reports on that work: what each phase achieved and the official orders behind it, our tobacco control policy under FCTC Article 5.3, our publications, and the activities we carry out from day to day.
52% → 35%
Smoking in Dhaka’s public transport (August 2022)
75% → 45%
Water-transport passengers who saw smoking, baseline vs. 2023 study
7
Government bodies issued orders, letters or permissions for smoke-free transport
2,030
Trainee drivers trained on tobacco control at BRTC (680) and BMET (1,350)
Project phases
Project Report (Year-01) First Phase
A step towards Tobacco-Free Dhaka by making all public transport system compliant to Smoke-free law
Bringing Dhaka’s bus terminals and public transport under the smoke-free law: logo permissions and orders from BRTA, BRTC and DTCA, vigilance teams, complaint boxes and a compliance report that found smoking down from 52% to 35%.
Project Report (Year-01) Second Phase
Enforce the Tobacco Control Laws effectively to make Dhaka bus and waterway launch terminals Smoke-free and TAPS-free
Taking the work to the waterways and deeper into road transport: orders and logo permissions from BRTA, BRTC, BIWTA, BIWTC and BMET, driver training, vigilance teams at the launch terminals, and a study that found smoking among water-transport passengers down from 75% to 45%.
Project Report (Year-01) Third Phase
Enforcing Tobacco Control Law 2005 in Bus and Water Transport: Empowering Through Capacity Building and Communication
A new project that builds on the earlier rounds. Its baseline study, in October 2024, surveyed 540 people at bus terminals and river ports in and around Dhaka to see how the smoke-free law is enforced and where the gaps are.
Latest activities
Barishal Conference on Tobacco or Health 2026 Highlights Path to Tobacco-Free Bangladesh
Barishal Division has the highest literacy rate in the country at 84.3 percent, according to the latest Population and Housing Census. Speakers at the Barishal…
Transport Owners Pledge to Enforce Tobacco Control Law on Public Transport
Bus owners in Dhaka agreed to display mandatory no-smoking signage, keep bus staff tobacco-free, and take strict action against violators at a meeting on implementing…
Divisional Meeting Held in Barisal to Ensure Smoke-Free Public Transport and Terminals; Urgent Directives Issued
With the theme "Ensure Smoke-Free Public Transport and Terminals," a divisional discussion meeting was held in Barisal with leaders of the District Bus Owners Group and…
Project team
Abul Kalam Azad
Founder & Executive Director, Development Activities of Society (DAS)
Has worked on tobacco control projects for 25 years. Life member of the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (Jhenaidah), the Bangladesh National Society for the Blind (BNSB), the National Heart Foundation (Jhenaidah Branch), the Sadar Hospital Patient Welfare Society and the Jhenaidah Public Library. Key qualifications: micro-credit account management (ICAB), monitoring and evaluation (BRAC), managerial and financial management (BRAC), budget and planning (VERC) and managerial management (BNFE), in a total of 25 years of social development experience.
Aminul Islam (Bakul)
Team Lead, Tobacco Control Project
Aminul Islam (Bakul) is a distinguished tobacco control expert with over two decades of development experience in Bangladesh. As a recognized leader in tobacco control, Mr. Bakul has spearheaded transformative initiatives in smoke-free public transport and tobacco regulation, translating complex policies into sustainable impact. He specializes in project management, public health, and environmental governance, with proven expertise in navigating institutional challenges and driving policy implementation. His tobacco control work has significantly advanced regulatory frameworks and strengthened government capacity to enforce tobacco control legislation. Mr. Bakul collaborates effectively with government institutions, local authorities, and development partners to strengthen policies at local and national levels. He integrates tobacco control with environmental protection and climate priorities, demonstrating how public health initiatives align with broader development goals. Throughout his career, Mr. Bakul served as Executive Director of AID Foundation and Research Officer at the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS). He completed the prestigious Tobacco Control Leadership Program at Johns Hopkins University, USA, and holds a degree from University of Dhaka. Committed to evidence-based practice and stakeholder coordination, Mr. Bakul continues advancing public health through integrated, sustainable development approaches.
Kazi Mohammad Hasibul Huq
Project Management Lead, Tobacco Control Project
Kazi Mohammad Hasibul Huq is a dedicated development professional with over a decade of specialized experience in tobacco control, project management, and policy advocacy across Bangladesh. As a leading tobacco control expert, Mr. Huq has spearheaded comprehensive initiatives to implement Local Government Institution (LGI) guidelines for tobacco control enforcement, establishing model municipalities and strengthening law enforcement mechanisms across multiple divisions. His tobacco control work demonstrates exceptional expertise in translating regulatory frameworks into actionable implementation strategies. Throughout his career with AID Foundation, he identified over 4,500 tobacco violations, issued 1,500+ vendor licenses, and supported mobile court operations across Khulna Division and Rajshahi City Corporations. He holds an MBA in Marketing and Management from NUB and is currently pursuing a LLB from Khulna Law College. His professional credentials include the Bangladesh Tobacco Control Leadership Program from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, along with certifications in MEAL, project management, and research methodology. Mr. Huq has published over 35 research articles and actively contributed to international platforms, including the 49th APCAT Conference and the 51st International Conference on Tobacco or Health. He brings proven expertise in stakeholder engagement an policy advancement toward advancement toward achieving a tobacco-free Bangladesh.
Rupali Khatun
Accounts cum Admin Coordinator
Holds a master’s degree, with an accounts background, and has more than 19 years of experience as an accountant in development organisations, including 6 years in tobacco control projects. As Accounts and Admin officer she has already completed 2 tobacco control projects funded by The Union.
Mohammad Moazzem Hossain
Program Coordinator
Mohammad Moazzem Hossain Tipu is an accomplished development professional serving as Programme Coordinator at Development Activities of Society (DAS) with over eleven years of experience in public health advocacy and tobacco control. As a specialized tobacco control expert, Mr. Tipu has been instrumental in advancing smoke-free public transport initiatives and strengthening institutional tobacco control implementation across Bangladesh's transport sector. He holds a Master's degree in Political Science from University of Jagannath and has completed specialized training in tobacco control economics and public health perspectives. Mr. Tipu's work demonstrates deep commitment to institutionalizing tobacco control within organizational frameworks and building stakeholder capacity for effective implementation. He has coordinated strategic engagements with major public transport institutions, government authorities, and civil society partners to advance tobacco control policies. His responsibilities include organizing awareness campaigns targeting public transport employees, facilitating capacity-building workshops, and developing relationships with government officials. Through his advocacy and coordination efforts, Mr. Tipu has contributed significantly to raising awareness among transport sector leaders regarding their responsibilities in tobacco control implementation. His collaborative approach brings diverse stakeholders together to develop coordinated strategies.
Abul Kalam Azad (Mukul)
Associate Program Coordinator
Abul Kalam Azad Mukul currently serves with dedication and expertise in the Tobacco Control Project. Although relatively new to the tobacco control sector, he has been actively contributing to various field-level and strategic operations of this project over the past six months. He holds both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree. A significant highlight of his career includes his impactful experience at WAVE Foundation, where he demonstrated strong proficiency in program monitoring, strategic planning, and comprehensive report writing. His diverse background and sharp skills in data-driven monitoring and documentation play a vital role in strengthening tobacco control policy implementation and ensuring project quality. Originally from Chuadanga district, Mr. Mukul continues to leverage his organizational experience and adaptive mindset to advance public health protection and support the vision of a tobacco-free society.