BACKGROUND AND IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES: The National Tobacco Control Cell (NTCC), established in 2007 under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW), has been a central body for implementing tobacco control laws in Bangladesh. However, the absence of a formalized organogram and reliance on temporary project-based funding created significant operational and sustainability challenges. Although the legal framework for NTCC’s structure was outlined in the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act, 2005 (amended in 2013), delays in approving the organogram and securing revenue-funded positions hindered the cell’s ability to expand its role.
INTERVENTION OR RESPONSE: Efforts to develop NTCC’s organogram officially began in 2015 with extensive stakeholder consultation. Draft rules were prepared in line with Section 15A of the amended Act, detailing NTCC’s structure, powers, and functions. Multiple inter-ministerial meetings led to proposals for creating permanent and temporary posts under the revenue sector, aligned with national priorities. In 2024, significant progress was made as the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Public Administration approved a revised organogram that included the creation of 5 permanent cadre posts, such as Director General, Directors, and Deputy Directors, and 11 temporary posts to ensure operational sustainability.
RESULTS AND IMPACT: The approval of the organogram was a key milestone in NTCC’s institutionalization, establishing a robust administrative framework for independent and effective operations within the government. It enhanced NTCC’s capacity to coordinate nationwide activities, train enforcement officers, and monitor compliance with tobacco control laws, reinforcing its mandate to achieve a tobacco-free Bangladesh.
CONCLUSIONS: Formalizing NTCC’s organogram is a significant step toward institutional stability and sustainability. By addressing long-standing structural challenges, the approved organogram ensures the continuity of tobacco control efforts and aligns NTCC with national public health priorities. Continued support from the government and stakeholders is crucial for the full implementation of the organogram and expand NTCC’s impact.