In a significant move to safeguard public health, the Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA) has declared its headquarters a completely smoke-free zone.

Announcing the move at a stakeholder meeting on Wednesday, Md. Amirul Islam, Deputy Managing Director (HR and Administration) of Dhaka WASA, stressed that the policy protects both employees and visitors from the harms of secondhand smoke. 

The event, held at Buriganga Hall, was jointly organised with the Development Organisation of the Rural Poor (DORP) to support tobacco control and a tobacco-free Bangladesh.

Zeba Afroza, Project Coordinator of DORP’s Tobacco Control Project, highlighted six proposed amendments aligned with WHO tobacco control guidelines, including banning smoking areas in public places, restricting tobacco advertising and CSR activities, regulating e-cigarettes and increasing graphic health warnings on packaging from 50% to 90%.

The meeting, presided over by Md. Abdus Salam Bepari, Chief Engineer of Dhaka WASA, also saw the installation of anti-smoking boards and stickers throughout the building. Participants urged swift government action to strengthen tobacco legislation to protect public health.