Public Health Advocates Welcome Move to Make Parliament Complex Smoke-Free

Bangladesh Parliament Building. Wikipedia

Monday, 9 November 2026: The Bangladesh Public Health Advocates has warmly welcomed the unanimous adoption of a proposal to declare the National Parliament Complex a “Smoke-Free Zone.”

The Bangladesh Public Health Advocates believes that the National Parliament is the country's highest legislative body and one of the most important institutions for democratic practice. Declaring this important institution and its premises a smoke-free zone will set a significant example in protecting public health, strengthening tobacco control, and ensuring a healthy environment.

Tobacco smoke poses serious health risks not only to smokers but also to non-smokers. This decision will play an important role in protecting Members of Parliament, officials and employees, journalists, visitors, and everyone entering the Parliament Complex from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.

The Bangladesh Public Health Advocates believes that, alongside declaring the National Parliament Complex a smoke-free zone, effective measures must be taken to completely prohibit smoking and the use of all forms of tobacco products within its premises. To achieve this, it is essential to ensure proper monitoring, awareness-raising activities, and effective enforcement of existing laws and regulations.

At the same time, this initiative by the National Parliament can serve as a model for ensuring smoke-free environments in all government and autonomous institutions, educational institutions, hospitals, courts, and other public places across the country.

The Bangladesh Public Health Advocates hopes that, through the prompt and effective implementation of this initiative, proposed by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the National Parliament will set an exemplary standard for protecting public health and building a tobacco-free Bangladesh.

The statement was signed by Mr. Iqbal Masud, Syed Mahbubul Alam, Aminul Islam Sujon, Susanta Sinha, Syeda Anannya Rahman, Farhana Zaman Liza, Abu Raihan, Ibrahim Khalil, Samiul Hasan Sajib, among others. - Press Release