YPSA has been implementing an initiative to promote smoke free public places and local government through developing, enacting, adopting and enforcing smoke free guideline with the aim to protect the non smoker from exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke, ensure the proper implementation of tobacco control law, promote a culture of non smoking so that smokers have least chances to smoke and continuously move to quit and ensure the participation of all people in tobacco control initiatives.
With this initiative YPSA is working with 11 local governments (2 city corporations and 9 municipalities) in 11 districts of Chittagong Division. In the mean time 9 local governments has approved smoke free guideline for their own jurisdiction. Each of the local government has given the responsibility to specific department and persons for taking necessary steps to implement their guideline.
As a result of continuous linkage and advocacy, Mr. Md. Abu Taher, Mayor of Laxmipur Municipality has approved and signed the Smoke-free guideline for Laxmipur municipality in a meeting held on 2nd January 2013 at Laxmipur Municipality office. Mr Kamal Uddin Khokon, Panel Mayor, Mr. Md Abul Basar, Chief Engineer, all councilors & officials of municipality were attended in the meeting. Mayor has given the responsibility to Mr. Md. Abul Basar, Chief Engineer of Laxmipur Municipality for implementing the Smoke free guide line and as a responsible person he also signed the Smoke-Free guideline.
