A total of 1,180 public transport drivers have been trained jointly by the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) and Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM) to raise awareness of the health hazards of tobacco use and to ensure proper implementation of the Tobacco Control Act (amended in 2013).
According to a press release issued by DAM on Sunday, the seven-phase training programme, titled “Professional Skill Development and Awareness Training for Professional Drivers”, was conducted this month at the BRTC Bus Depot in the Zoar Sahara area of the capital, with support from DAM’s Health Sector.
During the sessions, Adut Rahman Imon, Programme Officer of the Tobacco Control Project under DAM’s Health Sector, presented an audiovisual documentary highlighting the harmful effects of tobacco use and the key provisions of the tobacco control law.
The training informed drivers of buses, CNG-run auto-rickshaws, legunas and tempos about the dangers of direct and second-hand smoke, the associated health risks and their legal responsibilities under the existing law.
It was noted that passengers—particularly women and children—are frequently exposed to passive smoking inside public transport due to smoking by drivers and their assistants, posing serious health risks even to non-smokers.
Through video presentations, participants were given a clear understanding of the consequences of smoking in public transport and the punishable nature of such offences under the law.
Under the Tobacco Control Act, smoking is prohibited in public places, including bus terminals, airports, railway stations, river ports, government offices and other public gathering areas.
To ensure tobacco-free public transport and strengthen enforcement of the law, DAM and BRTA have been jointly conducting the training programme on a regular weekly basis, the release added.
