Khulna divisional commissioner urges smoke-free government offices and stronger anti-tobacco awareness campaigns across the division. Photo : BSS

KHULNA, June 22, 2026 (BSS) – Khulna Divisional Commissioner Md Abdullah Harun stressed the need to ensure that all government offices under the division’s jurisdiction become completely smoke-free as part of efforts to curb smoking and tobacco use.

He directed the authorities concerned to put up “No Smoking” posters at visible locations, including the entrances of all offices, saying that compliance with the directive would be monitored regularly.

He made the remarks while presiding over a meeting of the Divisional Task Force Committee on the implementation of the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) Act, held at the conference room of the Khulna Divisional Commissioner’s Office today.

He also instructed the relevant departments, including the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority, to undertake awareness programmes highlighting the harmful effects of smoking and tobacco use at educational institutions and public gathering places.

The divisional commissioner said imams of mosques could play an important role in anti-smoking campaigns.

He also underscored the need to raise public awareness about the legal prohibition on selling tobacco products within 100 metres of educational institutions, hospitals, clinics, sports venues and children's parks, noting that such activities constitute a punishable offence.

Among others, Additional Divisional Commissioner Abu Sayed Md. Monjur Alam, Director of Khulna Divisional Health Office Dr Sheikh Md. Mosharraf Hossain, Superintendent of Police of the DIG Range Office Md. Kamrul Islam, officials of government and non-government organisations, and representatives of anti-tobacco alliances attended the meeting.