Divisional Meeting Held in Barisal to Ensure Smoke-Free Public Transport and Terminals; Urgent Directives Issued
· Nothullabad Bus Terminal, Meeting Room, Barisal
On Tuesday, 22 September 2026, an important divisional discussion meeting was convened at the Nothullabad Bus Terminal Meeting Room in Barisal. The meeting was organized by Grambangla Development Committee, a member organization of the Bangladesh Anti-Tobacco Coalition's Barisal district branch, with the support of Development Activities of Society (DAS). Kazi Mohammad Hasibul Huq, Project Management Lead of DAS, facilitated and coordinated the entire meeting.
Mr. Monawar Hosen, General Secretary of Barisal District Bus Owners Group, chaired the meeting. Special guests included the Co-General Secretary of Barisal District Bus Owners Group and the Sanitary Inspector from Barisal Civil Surgeon's Office. All speakers emphasized the critical importance of maintaining smoke-free environments in public transport and bus terminals, highlighting the need to reduce health risks for passengers and transport workers.
Four Urgent Directives Issued Following the discussion, Mr. Monawar Hosen, on behalf of Barisal District Bus Owners Group, issued four urgent directives to ensure smoke-free public transport:
1. Complete Smoking Ban No driver, conductor, helper, or passenger shall be permitted to smoke in any moving or stationary bus.
2. Mandatory No-Smoking Signage Every bus and ticket counter must display visible signage stating "Smoking and Use of Tobacco Products Prohibited (No Smoking)" at prominent locations.
3. Passenger Compliance Management If any passenger attempts to smoke on a bus, the conductor and supervisor shall politely request them to refrain from smoking.
4. Legal Enforcement and Mobile Courts District administration and law enforcement agencies will conduct regular mobile courts at terminals and highways. Legal action and prescribed penalties will be strictly enforced against violators of the tobacco control law.
Mr. Monawar Hosen stated during the meeting: "Tobacco smoke poses severe health risks to ordinary passengers, children, elderly persons, and transport workers. We are committed to taking strict legal measures to ensure a healthy, safe, and smoke-free public transport system." He appealed to all bus owners and transport workers affiliated with Barisal District Bus Owners Group to provide full cooperation in implementing these initiatives.
This initiative represents a significant step toward implementing the Tobacco Control Act in Barisal's transport sector. By ensuring mandatory no-smoking signage, enforcing strict compliance among transport staff, establishing clear responsibilities for preventing passenger smoking, and implementing regular legal enforcement through mobile courts, this coordinated effort is expected to substantially contribute to creating safer and tobacco-free public transportation for all citizens of Barisal region.