Sale of Tobacco Products Banned Within 100 Metres of Educational Institutions in Manikganj

MANIKGANJ, Bangladesh —

The sale of tobacco and tobacco-related products within 100 metres of educational institutions has been prohibited, with authorities in Manikganj announcing plans for mobile court operations to enforce the restriction.

The decision was disclosed at a quarterly meeting of the district-level task force on implementation of tobacco-control laws, held at the Deputy Commissioner's conference room on Thursday afternoon.

Officials at the meeting said shops and other sales points operating within the designated 100-metre zone around educational institutions would not be allowed to sell tobacco products. Violations would constitute a punishable offence under the country's tobacco-control legislation.

The district administration is expected to launch mobile court drives shortly to identify violations and take legal action against those found selling tobacco products in restricted areas.

11 Mobile Court Drives Conducted

According to information presented at the meeting, authorities conducted 11 mobile court operations between January and August this year, during which 19 people were fined a total of Tk 3,150 for violations of tobacco-control regulations.

Officials said enforcement would be strengthened, particularly around educational institutions and other locations frequented by children and young people.

The task force also discussed the need for greater public awareness and closer coordination among government agencies to ensure effective implementation of tobacco-control measures.

Higher Fines Under Amended Law

The meeting also reviewed provisions introduced through the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Act, 2026, enacted as Act No. 91 of 2026.

Under the amended legislation, the financial penalty for smoking or using tobacco products in public places and on public transport has been increased significantly. The fine has risen from Tk 300 to Tk 2,000.

The amended law also strengthens restrictions on the sale and use of tobacco products in designated areas, including locations associated with educational institutions and children.

Officials at the meeting stressed the importance of enforcing the revised provisions through regular inspections and mobile court operations, alongside public-awareness campaigns.

District Task Force Meeting

The meeting was chaired by Nazmun Ara Sultana, Deputy Commissioner of Manikganj and chair of the district tobacco-control task force.

Among those attending were Additional District Magistrate Kamrul Hasan; acting Civil Surgeon and task force member-secretary Dr Abdullah-Al-Aziz; Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension Shahjahan Siraj; President of the District Bar Association Advocate Jasim Uddin Ahmed; President of Manikganj Press Club Jahangir Alam Biswas; BRTA Assistant Director Mahbub Kamal; Social Services Officer Mostafa Habib; District Sports Officer Ferdousi Akter Bonna; and Police Inspector Muhammad Rafiqul Islam.

Senior Health Education Officer at the Civil Surgeon's Office Mohammad Omar Faruk, Sanitary Inspector Khademul Islam, Municipal Sanitary Inspector Mir Md Jasim Uddin, Fire Service and Civil Defence Deputy Assistant Director Abdul Hamid Mia, and District Narcotics Control Office Sub-Inspector Morshed Alam were also present, along with other members of the task force.

The meeting called for stronger inter-agency coordination to ensure compliance with tobacco-control legislation. Particular emphasis was placed on preventing tobacco sales around educational institutions, enforcing restrictions on smoking in public places and taking legal action against violations.

The district administration said enforcement activities would be accompanied by efforts to raise public awareness about the health and social consequences of tobacco use.

Authorities indicated that mobile court operations could be intensified in the coming days as part of the district's broader effort to strengthen implementation of tobacco-control laws.