During the rush of the morning commute, the air on the local buses carries a familiar, pungent sting. As soon as the doors close behind the passengers, the sharp, acrid smell of cigarettes hangs heavy, clinging to clothes and hair.
The windows are shut against the chill outside, and the bus rocks with the press of bodies packed shoulder to shoulder. In the driver’s seat, a cigarette dangles casually between fingers, smoke curling toward the ceiling. For many who ride these buses daily, it’s nothing unusual—a small, smoky ritual that punctuates the start of their day.
Mukul, a long-time transport driver, lights up without hesitation as he steers his bus through the city streets. “Smoking is an addiction. I can’t stay without it,” he admits. “I drive all day, and if I get down to smoke, it takes time. That’s why I smoke while sitting on the bus. The law existed before too, no one ever says anything.”
Despite most public buses displaying signs that read “Smoking Prohibited,” in reality, these warnings often exist only on paper. Drivers and helpers themselves sometimes ignore the rules, puffing away as the bus carries passengers along crowded routes.
For commuters, speaking up can be risky. Those who protest often face hostile reactions or uncomfortable situations, leaving silence as the safer—and more common—option.
It is against this backdrop that news of a proposed amendment to the tobacco control law has triggered mixed reactions. For some, it promises stricter enforcement and safer public spaces. For others, it raises questions about practicality, enforcement, and the day-to-day realities of life on the road.
As the debate unfolds, the city’s buses continue to hum along, smoke trailing quietly behind, leaving passengers to navigate the tension between law, habit, and courtesy.
While many welcome stricter regulations, skepticism lingers over whether they will bring real change on the ground.
Bank officer Mohammad Harun Chowdhury is a familiar figure in the TSC area of Dhaka University, where he often enjoys a cup of tea—cigarette in hand.
“I know there is a law, or at least there will be one,” he said, pausing to take a puff. “But cigarette sales haven’t stopped. I come here every day. It’s not just me; many others smoke as well. If the law is really going to be strict, then the government has to enforce it first.”
Chowdhury’s words capture the frustration of many who watch regulations exist on paper but struggle to see them enforced in everyday life.
Tobacco continues to take a heavy toll on Bangladesh, claiming the lives of an estimated 161,000 people each year. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and public health experts, these deaths are primarily driven by lung and respiratory diseases, heart disease, stroke, and various forms of cancer.
Alarmingly, research indicates that around 18 to 19 percent of all deaths in the country are linked to tobacco use—meaning nearly one in every five fatalities can be attributed to smoking and other tobacco-related illnesses. Health authorities warn that unless decisive action is taken, the human cost of tobacco in Bangladesh will continue to rise.
Every year, approximately 1.2 million people suffer from serious tobacco-related diseases, with research showing that smokers risk losing an average of seven years of life due to smoking.
The impact extends beyond smokers themselves. Around 61,000 children and adolescents are exposed to second-hand smoke annually, highlighting that tobacco use is not just a personal choice but a significant public health concern.
Recently, the interim government has approved the draft of the Smoking and Tobacco Products Use (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025.
However, the law has yet to be fully passed or visibly implemented, leaving experts concerned about continued risks to public health.
Although the law has not yet been fully passed or put into practice, it is already stirring discussions among citizens.
The proposed amendment seeks to impose a complete ban on smoking in all public places and public transport. Under the draft, “public places” are defined broadly, encompassing educational institutions, offices, hospitals, courts, airports, railway stations, bus terminals, hotels and restaurants, shopping malls, parks, and even building balconies, entrances, and open spaces. Smoking would also be prohibited in queues where people wait for transport or services.
The draft law outlines stricter penalties for violations, raising the fine from the current 300 taka to a maximum of 2,000 taka. In a significant move, it also calls for a total ban on e-cigarettes, vapes, and heated tobacco products.
As the amendment awaits final approval, citizens, business owners, and health experts are weighing in on its potential impact, signaling that the debate around public smoking is far from over.
While public health experts have welcomed the new provisions, many citizens remain skeptical. Their concern isn’t about the wording of the law, but about how effectively it will be enforced.
Professor Dr. Fazle Khoda, from the Institute of Social Welfare and Research at the University of Dhaka, said the public’s reaction reflects years of weak implementation.
“Smoking in public places is not just a personal habit; it is a direct attack on public health,” he said. “People have seen laws before, but they have not seen strict enforcement.”
He pointed out that change will remain out of reach unless passengers understand their rights and transport operators are forced to take responsibility.
