To ensure the proper implementation of the Tobacco Control Law (Amended 2013) and raise awareness about the health risks of tobacco use, 662 public transport drivers have been trained under the initiative of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) and with the collaboration of the Health Sector of Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM).
The training, titled “Professional Skill and Awareness Enhancement Training for Professional Drivers,” was conducted at the BRTC bus depot in Joar Sahara, Dhaka. Adut Rahman Emon, Program Officer of the Tobacco Control Project under DAM’s Health Sector, presented an informative session on implementing the Tobacco Control Law and the health hazards associated with tobacco consumption. The training was carried out in four phases on November 11, 14, 18, and 21, 2024.
During the sessions, public transport drivers (operating buses, CNG autorickshaws, legunas, and tempos) were educated about the harmful effects of direct and indirect smoking, the associated health risks, and the provisions of the Tobacco Control Law. It was emphasized that passengers, particularly women and children, are often victims of secondhand smoke caused by smoking by drivers or their assistants in public transport. This exposure leads to similar health risks as active smoking.
Through video presentations, the participants understood the adverse effects of smoking in public transport and the law’s mandatory requirements. The sessions outlined that smoking in public places such as bus terminals, airports, railway stations, ferry terminals, and government offices is a punishable offense, as it exposes non-smokers, including children and women, to secondhand smoke.
To keep public transport 100% smoke-free and ensure the implementation of the law, Dhaka Ahsania Mission and BRTA jointly conduct these training programs regularly and weekly.
