DHAKA, Sept 11, 2025 (BSS) – The National Heart Foundation of Bangladesh has welcomed the Directorate General of Health Services’ directive to make all public and private hospitals and healthcare facilities cent percent tobacco-free, calling it a “significant step” for public health.

President of the foundation, Professor Dr. Khandakar Abdul Awal Rizvi, stated that the Health Directorate has instructed all hospitals, medical and dental colleges, specialized hospitals, nursing colleges, and other healthcare institutions across the country to implement fully tobacco-free environments.

The directive aims to ensure a 100 percent tobacco- and smoke-free environment for doctors, nurses, healthcare staff, patients, and visitors, said a press release received here today.

The notice was recently issued by Professor Dr. Syed Zakir Hossain, Line Director of the Non-Communicable Disease Control (NCDC) program under the Directorate General of Health Services.

Professor Rizvi said, “Hospitals are meant to be places of healing. The presence of tobacco or smoking poses a serious threat to patients and attendants. Second-hand smoke increases the risk of heart disease, cancer, respiratory problems, and other health complications. Implementation of this directive will ensure truly tobacco-free healthcare facilities.”

To implement fully tobacco-free health facilities, the directive requires healthcare centers to install visible tobacco-free signage at entrances and key locations.

In addition, he said, hospitals are tasked with advising and supporting staff, patients, and visitors to quit tobacco use.

According to WHO-SEARO (2018), 161,000 people die annually in Bangladesh due to tobacco use, with 21 percent of deaths caused by second-hand smoke.

The National Heart Foundation hopes the initiative will transform healthcare facilities across Bangladesh into fully tobacco-free environments, marking a significant advancement in public health protection.