BACKGROUND: Tobacco use remains a major public health challenge in Bangladesh, the ranked in 5th globally and the 3rd in the WHO South-East Asia Region in terms of number of tobacco users. Government enacts tobacco control law, to restrict smoking in public places and transport for aiming to protect non-smokers from secondhand smoke and promote smoke-free environments, enforcement remains inconsistent. This study evaluates the implementation status of smoking ban provision in the public place and public transport in eight divisional cities.
METHODS: A mixed approach has been used to conduct the study. The study period was from May 2023 to April 2024 at TC law specified 114 public places and 46 public transports in eight divisional cities (Out of Eight) of Bangladesh. Structured observational checklists were designed based on tobacco control law.
RESULTS: Total 114 public places and 46 public-transports were identified, where smoking was observed in 57% of public-places and 44% of public-transports. Among the public transport smoking occurred in 100% of water transport, and their terminals, 39% of trains, 100% of buses during the rest time, and 88% of bus terminals or waiting areas. Only 42% of public-places and 37% of public-transports displayed no-smoking signs, among these 80% of public-places and 76% of public-transports displayed poor visible signage in multiple locations. Additionally, 75% of public places and 91% of transports used their own signage, not government-prescribed.
CONCLUSIONS: The study reveals several non-compliances with tobacco control laws in public places and transport across Bangladesh. Despite some partial compliance, enforcement remains weak. To improve compliance, government should develop targeted monitoring and reporting system, enhance the capacity of existing law enforcers, empower more officials to enforce law, involve NGOs to enhance monitoring, enhance penalties, and raise public awareness.