Dhaka South to make public places tobacco-free
Dhaka South City Corporation would take initiative to make all public places – playgrounds, parks, bus terminals – under its jurisdiction tobacco-free as per the law.
"All the open squares, especially playgrounds, parks, bus terminals under Dhaka South will be made tobacco-free. Appropriate measures will be taken under the existing legal framework if necessary," Dhaka South Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Tapas said at a meeting with the leaders of some private organisations, including anti-drug organisation Pratyasha, at the Nagar Bhaban on Thursday.
When the organisations involved in the tobacco-free movement proposed making the trade licence mandatory for the sellers of tobacco products, the mayor said a guideline has been published by the Local Government Division to implement the tobacco control activities.
"In light of those guidelines and under the legal framework, we will take steps to bring them under trade permits. Through the initiative, tobacco consumption is expected to decrease and it will be possible to control the sellers of tobacco products," the mayor added.