Dhaka: A total of 768 public transport drivers have been trained under an initiative of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), with the support of Dhaka Ahsania Mission, to help ensure a sustainable smoke-free public transport system. According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the training programme, titled "Professional Skills and Awareness Development Training for Professional Drivers," was conducted in four phases during August at the Joar Sahara BRTC Bus Depot in the capital, as stated in a press release issued by Dhaka Ahsania Mission today.
During the training sessions, Adut Rahman Imon, Programme Officer of the organisation's Tobacco Control Project, presented audio-visual materials focusing on the implementation of tobacco control laws and the health hazards of tobacco use. Participants were also briefed on the amended Tobacco Control Act 2026, which was passed by Parliament on April 10, 2026.
The training included drivers of buses, CNG-run vehicles, legunas, and tempos, who were provided with information on the harmful effects of direct and secondhand smoking, health risks associated with tobacco use, and key provisions of the existing law. Speakers at the training emphasized that smoking by drivers and their assistants exposes passengers, especially women and children, to secondhand smoke, thereby putting their health at significant risk.
They underscored the necessity for greater awareness among public transport workers to ensure a smoke-free and healthier environment for passengers. The initiative reflects a concerted effort to promote public health and safety by reducing tobacco use within the transport sector.