Train bogies, stations declared smoking-free zone

All areas under Bangladesh Railway, including train bogies and stations, have been declared tobacco-free zone. Non-compliance with the rule will result in legal action, Railways Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan said on Wednesday.

The Railways Minister voiced the warning while inaugurating a project titled ‘Initiative to make Bangladesh Railway tobacco- free’ at Rail Bhaban in Dhaka.

“The railway stations, platforms, and bogies of the trains have been declared as smoke-free and tobacco-free zone, and those violating the law will be brought to book,” he said.

“It is not possible to stop smoking or tobacco use through enacting a law or through campaign if we can’t stop the source of tobacco,” the minister added.

He also urged all concerned to take the effective steps so that people abstain from smoking during train journey and refrain from carrying tobacco during travelling.

The Minister stressed the need for taking effective steps through implementing field-level plans.

Ministry of Railways has taken the project with the financial assistance of US-based organisation ‘The Union’.

The goal of the project is to keep children, women, sick people, pregnant women and non-smoking passengers safe from the effects of smoking.