On 29 September 2025, I had the opportunity to participate in the Tobacco Control Handbook Validation Workshop, organized by the National Institute of Local Government (NILG) in Dhaka. The event was part of the Institutionalizing and Strengthening the Implementation of Tobacco Control Project-II (ISITC-II).
As a participant, I contributed by sharing my thoughts and recommendations to help finalize the Tobacco Control Handbook, which is being developed for local government institutions across Bangladesh. The workshop brought together several leading tobacco control advocates who, like myself, provided practical insights to ensure the handbook is both effective and actionable for use at the local level.
A key component of the workshop was group work on reviewing the draft handbook. I was part of Group 2, tasked with examining the section on the Tobacco Control Act and Rules (Pages 18–28). Our goal was to identify any missing elements and ensure all legal provisions were accurately reflected.
Local government institutions play a crucial role in enforcing tobacco control laws, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas. Strengthening their capacity through a well-structured, comprehensive handbook is essential for effective law enforcement and building public awareness.
The workshop also featured valuable insights from distinguished guests, including:
They emphasized the importance of the handbook and the need for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to combat tobacco use across the country.
Overall, the workshop was a productive and timely initiative that will significantly contribute to strengthening tobacco control efforts through local government engagement.
