Consultation Meeting Held in Mymensingh to Advance Smoke-Free Public Transport Implementation

A consultation meeting was convened in Mymensingh on 18 August 2026 to advance implementation of tobacco control laws in public transport and terminals. Held at the conference room of Mymensingh District Motor Owners Association, the meeting brought together transport owners' association leaders, workers' union representatives, government officials, and civil society advocates to discuss comprehensive strategies for creating tobacco-free transport environments. The meeting was organized by Ushika Social Welfare Organization and NATAR in collaboration with Development Activities of Society (DAS) and Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Coalition (BATC), reflecting broad institutional commitment to tobacco control advancement in the transport sector.

Mr. Mohammad Abdur Rof Akand Raton, General Secretary of Mymensingh District Motor Owners Association, attended as chief guest and emphasized the critical role of transport owners in tobacco control implementation. He noted that public transport and terminals serve as essential mobility infrastructure for ordinary citizens and that creating tobacco-free environments requires adherence to existing laws combined with awareness building among transport owners, workers, and drivers. He affirmed the transport owners' association's commitment to providing necessary cooperation in establishing tobacco-free public transport systems. Shahidul Amin Khusru, Editor of the Coach Division at Mymensingh District Motor Owners Association, participated as special guest and emphasized that transport workers and employees perform daily responsibilities in public transport and terminals and therefore require targeted awareness building regarding tobacco control requirements and active measures to ensure compliance. He called upon workers' union leaders and members to fulfill responsible roles in ensuring tobacco-free public transport.

Mr. Mohammad Nazrul Islam, Chairman of Mymensingh District Motor Vehicle Employees Union, chaired the meeting and articulated the importance of coordinated action among all stakeholders for effective tobacco control implementation. He noted that strengthening coordination between transport owners and workers alongside law enforcement agencies and relevant authorities would significantly enhance the effectiveness of tobacco-free public transport implementation. This emphasis on multi-stakeholder coordination reflected understanding that sustainable tobacco control requires functional cooperation across the entire transport sector ecosystem.

Kazi Mohammad Hasibul Huq, Program Management Lead of Development Activities of Society (DAS), delivered the keynote presentation providing comprehensive analysis of existing laws and regulations governing tobacco use, smoking prevention, and control of tobacco product promotion and sales in public transport and terminals. He emphasized that keeping public transport and terminals tobacco-free requires active participation from transport owners, workers, drivers, and relevant authorities in law implementation. He highlighted the necessity of awareness building regarding tobacco control laws among stakeholders while simultaneously strengthening coordination between law enforcement agencies and transport sector representatives. He called upon transport owners and workers' leaders to fulfill responsible roles in ensuring tobacco-free public transport.

Participants from government agencies contributed their perspectives and responsibilities regarding tobacco control implementation. Mohammad Jaman, representative of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) in Mymensingh, and Mohammad Jabed Ikbal, Sanitary Inspector of Mymensingh City Corporation, participated in the discussion addressing stakeholder responsibilities for tobacco control law implementation, practical realities of law enforcement, and specific actions required from transport sector stakeholders.

The meeting facilitated by Mohammad Rubiul Islam, NATAR representative in Mymensingh, emphasized the importance of awareness raising regarding smoking and tobacco product use in public transport and terminals, compliance with existing laws, and coordinated action among relevant institutions. Speakers underscored that creating tobacco-free public transport requires simultaneous attention to awareness building, legal compliance, and inter-institutional coordination.

Mr. Mohammad Abdul Kuddus, Executive Director of Ushika Social Welfare Organization, noted that public transport and terminals serve as essential mobility infrastructure for ordinary citizens and that maintaining these spaces as tobacco-free is fundamentally a public health protection matter rather than merely a legal compliance issue. He emphasized that achieving this objective requires sustained collective efforts from transport owners, workers, authorities, and related organizations working in coordinated fashion toward the common goal of tobacco-free public transport.