“promoting smoke free local government and public …ypsa.org/doc/ctfk/ypsa final report narrative...

Final Narrative Report

of 49 Template Updated Feb09

Final Narrative Report April 2009 – March 2011

“Promoting Smoke Free Local Government

and Public Spaces in Chittagong Division”

Young Power in Social Action (YPSA)

Bloomberg Global Initiative

To Reduce Tobacco Use



Table of Content

Grant Information

Introduction

Geographical coverage

Overall Project 1. List of the major objectives of the project as they were set forth in original grant

agreement. 2. List and description of all activities completed during the grant, including:

a. All completed activities which were included on the project work plan Formative report

b. All completed activities which were not included on the project work plan 3. List and explanation of any changes to the major objectives that occurred during the

project implementation. 4. Changes to the activities and list of incomplete activities as per work plan 5. Description of the impact of the project 6. Impact on YPSA’s capacity (i.e.- staff, infrastructure, processes, technical expertise, etc.) 7. The greatest challenges or constraints 8. Unanticipated opportunities arose during the project 9. The most effective approach to tackling the problem at hand. 10. New partnerships or collaborations 11. Description of the staff members of the project 12. Sustainability

Appendices: Annex 1. Case studies



Glossary of terms

ACD Association for Community Development

ACLAB Alliance For Cooperation and Legal Aid Bangladesh

APACT Asia Pacific Conference on Tobacco

BI Bloomberg Initiatives

FCTC Framework Convention on Tobacco Control

MOHFW Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

MP Member of Parliament

NTCC National Tobacco Control Committee

ADC Additional District Commissioner

AID Action in Development

BATA Bangladesh Anti Tobacco Alliance

BCCP Bangladesh Centre for Communication Programs

CBO Community Based organization

CCC Chittagong City Corporation

CMCH Chittagong Medical College and Hospital

CTFK Campaign For Tobacco Free Kids

DC District Commissioner

DMP Dhaka Metropolitan Police

GO Government Organization

IGTC Institute for Global Tobacco Control

ITC Bangladesh International Tobacco Control Bangladesh

JHSPH Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

MRDI

NATAB National Anti Tuberculosis Association of Bangladesh

NGO Non Government Organization

WBB Trust Work for Better Bangladesh Trust

WHO World Health Organization

YPSA Young Power in Social Action




GRANT INFORMATION

Project ID (ex: United States 2-03) BANGALDESH-4-21

Organization’s legal name Young Power in Social Action (YPSA)

Project Title

“Promoting Smoke Free Local Government and Public Spaces in Chittagong Division”

Project Duration (# of months)

24 months Interim Report # Final Report

Reporting Period (mm/dd/yy – mm/dd/yy)

04/01/09 – 03/31/11

REPORT PREPARER

Title (Dr / Ms / Mr) Ms First Name Nasim

Family Name Banu Position Program Coordinator

Direct telephone +88-031-2570916

Mobile telephone +88- 01818 126907

Direct email [email protected]

Skype ID (if applicable)



Introduction

Young Power in Social Action (YPSA) is a social development organization that envisions a society without poverty where everyone’s basic needs and rights are ensured. For over 25 years YPSA has been involved in providing health services, education and promoting general public health in Greater Chittagong Division. Taking into account of tobacco use and smoking, YPSA has been involving with anti tobacco movement from its inception. Government of the republic of Bangladesh ratified WHO FCTC, later developed national smoking and tobacco control law in 2005 and action plans, there persist high prevalence of smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke especially in regional cities like Chittagong, local towns and districts. This may be attributed to the general low awareness about harmful effects of exposure to secondhand smoke among the public and local leaders, low awareness about national smoking and tobacco control law and its application at the local level, weak local smoking regulation among other issues.

Realizing the need to reduce health risks by strengthening smoking regulation at workplaces and public spaces, YPSA expanded its efforts to promote smoke free environments. With the assistance of Campaign for Tobacco free kids and Bloomberg Initiatives YPSA has implemented a project on “Promoting smoke free local government and public spaces in Chittagong Division” since April 2009 which has completed in March 2011. The aim of the project is to promote smoke free local government and public spaces within Chittagong Division, by advocating for smoke free policies and practice at City Corporation and Municipal level as a preventive and regulatory mechanism in compliance with National Smoking and Tobacco control Act 2005. YPSA has implemented the project at Chittagong City Corporation and 3 municipalities in 3 districts of Cox’s Bazar, Feni and Comilla targeting an estimate of 5 million people working in local government institutions and public spaces. The broad strategies of the project are to advocate the local government by formation of smoke free civil society coalitions for institutional smoke free policies for local government and strengthen the enforcement and practice of the policies. During the project period YPSA has organized series of orientation and workshops with different stakeholders, form civil society coalition, developed smoke free guideline for local government, conducted advocacy with local government for adopting and enforcing the guideline, print and distributed publication (stickers, poster, digital talking book, tobacco control law, smoke free guideline, YPSA’s smoke free guideline), organized rally, campaign, organized exposure visit, conducted meeting with taskforce and conducted follow up meeting with local government, developed report card for monitor the law compliances, maintained relationship and networking with other organizations. Through all of the activities during in project period, YPSA has achieved some progress like form volunteer advocacy and lobbing civil society coalition in 4 areas, develop and adopt smoke free guideline by local government, declared smoke free local government and different public places and public transports, activate taskforce, distribute No smoking signage, Ban tobacco advertisement by Chittagong City Corporation, increase awareness on harmful effects of smoking and exposure to secondhand smoking among the stakeholders and coalition members, etc.



The project helped to equip local governments, agencies and other partners to work together to control the tobacco epidemic, particularly through the formulation and implementation of smoke free guideline at the local government and public spaces under their jurisdiction. The report card showed that the law compliance rate in the working areas has increased that before. Capacity of YPSA to handle the smoke free project has enhanced. YPSA has developed and adopted smoke free guideline for its own for mainstreaming the smoke free issue. YPSA also shared its experiences, knowledge and learning and best practices with others at national and international levels. YPSA intends to replicate the best practices in 4 working areas in other 7 districts of Chittagong Divisions in future.



Geographical Coverage Project has implemented in 4 selected local government areas namely Chittagong City Corporation, Cox Bazar municipality, Comilla municipality and Feni municipality in 4 Districts under Chittagong Division.

Map of Bangladesh indicating project working areas



Project working areas



Overall Project

1. List of the major objectives of the project as they were set forth in original

grant agreement

1. Inform, persuade and form a coalition of supportive government institution, local

business, journalists, non governmental organizations and community based organizations in Chittagong Division by September 2009.

2. Support the development and adoption of the model institutional policies for Chittagong

city corporation and 3 Municipalities in Cox’s Bazar, Comilla and Feni Districts by June 2010

3. Strengthen the enforcement of 100% smoke free policies and practice in Chittagong city

corporation and 3 municipalities by December 2010 4. Enhance sharing of experiences and knowledge across model institutions to allow

replication of promising practices and lesson in smoking and tobacco control in Chittagong division, other cities and nationally.

2. List and description of all activities completed during the grant, including:

a. All completed activities which were included on the project work plan YPSA has implemented different activities as per work plan in 4 working areas under the 4 set objectives. The brief description of each accomplished activities during the project period as per work plan are as follows Objective – 1. Inform, persuade and form a coalition of supportive government institution,

local business, journalists, non governmental organizations and community based

organizations in Chittagong Division by September 2009. Under the objective, the following activities have been completed at 4 working areas

Activity - Identify supportive leadership in the Chittagong city corporation, 3 municipalities

and conduct informational briefing meetings. Supportive leaders have a power to motivate people and bring changes in the society so it is very important to involve those local leaders with tobacco control movement. Keeping this in mind, to build wide support of the local elected leaders (including councilors) and the public at the local level, YPSA has been conducting informational briefing and discussions meeting with government actors like District Commissioners, Civil Surgeon, Police administration, Drug control office, District information office, Mayor, Councilors and officials of Chittagong City Corporation and Municipalities, Media Persons, NGOs, Civil Society, journalist, religious leader and business community.



Besides that YPSA organized and observed “World No Tobacco Day 2009’ at the 4 working areas to inform and involve the communities and leaders in smoke free awareness campaigns focusing the issue of pictorial warning. All the events were comprised of colorful rally, human chain and discussion meeting. Government Officials, Mayor, counselors of local government, NGO's representative, Journalist, teachers, market authority, Civil Society were attended in these all programs.

Activity - Conduct 1 orientation workshop on "Current state of smoking and tobacco

regulation and prevention mechanisms in Chittagong and the whole country" for city

corporation authorities including public market authorities To enhance the knowledge for raising awareness among the Chittagong City Corporation authorities specially councilors on smoke free environment and law, YPSA organized a workshop on “Current status of smoking and tobacco regulation and prevention mechanisms in Chittagong and the whole country”. Councilors of Chittagong City Corporation and representatives from Market Authority have participated in the workshop. Key discussions included, the current law and its application, success and gaps and the role of councilors as public representatives in ensuring smoke free environment. They showed their interest and assurance to involve this issue to reduce exposure to secondhand smoke at their own constituencies.

Activity - Conduct 3 orientation workshops on "Current state of smoking and tobacco

regulation and prevention mechanisms in Chittagong and the whole country " for 3 municipal

authorities including public market authorities in 3 districts To raise awareness among the municipal authorities about smoking and tobacco use and existing regulation and prevention mechanisms, YPSA has organized 3 orientation workshops on “Current status of smoking and tobacco regulation and prevention mechanisms in Chittagong and the whole country” at Cox’s Bazar, Feni and Comilla Municipalities. Orientation Workshops were provide basic knowledge on Harmful effect of tobacco and smoking on our poverty, economy, health, daily life, environment, child rights, and human rights as a whole, National smoking and tobacco use (control) act 2005 and rules 2006 and its execution, success and gaps, and the role of councilors as a elected public representatives in enforcement of law and development and enforcement of smoke free policies.

Through these workshops, the knowledge on harmful effect of tobacco use and smoking and the national law among the participants have been increased and different suggestions and recommendations have come out in improving the advocacy program. Along with 4 participants have declared that they quit smoking.

Activity - Conduct orientation workshop with journalists on smoke-free policies Media has a strong power in disseminating information and perception development. Media also can play an important role in putting crucial issues like exposure to second hand smoke to the attention of both the policymakers and the public. Media can be very effective in raising the people's voice and easily communicate with a wide range of audiences. It’s YPSA intention therefore to work closely with the media organizations to drive smoke free campaign, reach a wider audience and policy makers with the message to strengthen smoking regulation.



Journalists provide an opportunity to engage the media and so it is very important to enhance their knowledge about the exposure to secondhand smoke issue and smoke free policy. In this regard, an orientation workshop on “Smoke free workplace and public Spaces: Duties of Media” was organized for the Journalist of printing and electronic media in Chittagong.

Activity – Conduct Orientation workshops with local public places and public transport

authority, local leaders and other stakeholders on smoke free guideline With the aim to inform the people about on how to implement the “Smoke free guide line” for the local government and keep smoke free local government, YPSA organized 4 orientation workshops with local public places and public transport authorities, local leaders and other stakeholders. In the workshop, importance of smoke free guideline, harms of tobacco uses, tobacco control law and their role have been discussed. Representatives from transport association, market association and other owners of public place said that they will take steps to ensure the smoke free environment in their own places.

Activity - Reproduce and disseminate 20,000 copies of a booklet on National Smoking and

Tobacco Control Act 2005 both in English and Bangla to popularize the law and reach low

and illiterate Bangladesh Government has developed and adopted National smoking and tobacco use (control) law 2005 and rules 2006. But most of the people including the law implementing agency do not know about the law as a result the law is not properly executing. So to disseminate the law among all walks of people YPSA has reproduced the National Smoking and Tobacco use (Control) Act 2005 and rules 2006 both in Bangla and English. During the project period copies of law and rules have distributed among different stakeholders like students, teachers, councilors, market authority, transport authority, government officials, NGOs, CBOs, religious leaders, journalist, lawyers and civil society.

Activity - Conduct skills building, advocacy strategy development and action planning

workshop for the coalition group members The Coalitions are playing a very important role in mobilizing leaders and community support, disseminating messages to influence the development of smoke free policies, its adoption and enforcement. So to be able to plan, implement campaigns, monitor the progress, they require abase of advocacy skills and knowledge to make decisions.

YPSA therefore organized intensive training workshop on “Advocacy Strategy Development and Action Planning” for the coalition members to equip them with basic practical skills and knowledge needed to undertake smoke free advocacy in a systematic way that would result in desired changes in smoke free policies and practice at the local and regional level.

In the workshop, status of tobacco and smoke use and law, advocacy process & strategies were discussed. Participants selected from 4 local coalitions from 4 working areas participated in the workshop. By participating in the workshop participants developed 4 draft action plans for 4 working areas outlining priority aspects of smoke free advocacy and recommendations for consolidated future actions within a Coalition. WBB trust supported the workshop as facilitators.



Activity - Develop 30,000 copies of stickers with “Anti-Tobacco and Smoke free" notices and

disseminate widely. Sticker with specific messages can play a vital role in popularizing any issue and disseminate information as an information, education and communication materials. It also contributes to build awareness and motivate people in changing behavior. YPSA has published a sticker with messages on smoke free workplace and distributed to different stakeholders, public places and transport. Activity - Identify potential supporters in civil society and establish a joint advocacy coalition

group: Conduct 4 consultation workshops with potential coalition members and implementing

partners YPSA’s successful advocacy requires a platform that facilitates sharing information and knowledge, communication and joint advocacy actions targeted at common goals. To initiate these coalitions YPSA conducted consultation workshops and informal meetings at 4 working areas (Chittagong City Corporation, 3 Municipalities) with an aim to gather views and recommendations among the local elected leaders and various stakeholders on how to structure collaboration for advocacy for smoke free policies. Out of the consultations 4 non-formal coalition groups guided by common terms of working together and shared goals were formed. Potential coalition members form each local government area championed for their own coalition that would address their own specific issues regarding smoking and tobacco control. Most of these coalitions draw members from local elected leaders (e.g. councilors), journalists, NGOs, CBOs, youth leaders, market associations, transport associations, religious leaders, doctors, lawyers, business community and teachers. In these consultation meetings, YPSA shared project goal, objectives, activities and role of coalition in promoting smoke free policy within local government and public spaces. Participants shared their experiences and given commitment to continue their support in future. Now most of the coalition group members are providing cooperation in initiating smoke free workplaces within their organizations. Activity - Convert the National Smoking and Tobacco Control law booklet into digital book for

easy access by the visually challenged low literate people and disseminate. YPSA is the focal organization in Bangladesh for Digital Accessible Information System (DAISY) promoting use of digital talking books (Multimedia content) for visually challenged and low literate people especially who are print disable. For creating access of print disable people in information world YPSA produces digital talking book on different contents. In this regards YPSA has converted the National smoking and Tobacco use (control) law 2005 and National smoking and Tobacco use (control) rules 2006 into digital book. Through this book the visually challenged and low literate people can know about the national law easily and it also use as a campaign and communication tools for building awareness and responsiveness among the mass people. Activity - Develop and disseminate 10,000 copies A2 size posters with anti–tobacco messages

and pictures targeting the public to increase awareness and generate public action on law

enforcement Poster is one of the tools for disseminating messages and creating awareness among the mass people and it has also a role in advocacy process. Since many people in our country do not know



and aware about the national law on smoking and tobacco use so the first steps in promoting smoke free workplace is to make people aware on that issue. Besides that it will take part in generic public action on law enforcement. YPSA has developed A2 size poster with the messages and pictures on smoke free workplace and public places and distributed to the mass people. Activity – Organize 4 Leadership development training For developing the leadership capacity among the coalition members to handle the smoke free issue and to create smoke free environment and spread out the messages on Tobacco Control, YPSA organized 4 leadership training on Tobacco Control’ where coalitions members of 4 areas have participated. The main objectives of the training were

1. To exchange the current state on tobacco control efforts at local level.

2. To gather coalition members for perceiving the effects of smoking and smoke less tobacco.

3. To create sense of advocacy among coalition members for fighting against tobacco prevalence

4. To generate ideas in enhancing consciousness amongst coalition members on tobacco control at local level.

5. To make forward the advance group of the society on tobacco control issue. 6. To make action plan decided by the participants and coalition members for one year in

abolishing tobacco products prevalence.

The following issues have been discussed in the training. � Overview: Tobacco situation in the world and Bangladesh perspectives

• Harms of Exposure to second hand smoking

• Relationship between tobacco and Human rights, Consumer rights, Child rights, environment, poverty, health

• WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control

• MPOWER policy package on tobacco control

• Global Adult Tobacco Survey Statistics

• Global and Bangladesh Tobacco Control initiatives

• Tobacco Control Law in Bangladesh

• Loopholes of Tobacco Control law in BD

• Law amendment

• Tobacco Myths

• Strategies and tactics of Tobacco Industries

• Definition of Advocacy

• Purpose of advocacy for Tobacco Control

• Possible outcome of advocacy

• Review coalition initiatives and Role of Coalition

• Action Plan In the end of the session participants have developed an action plan for the next 1 year.



Objective 2. Support the development and adoption of the model institutional

policies for Chittagong city corporation and 3 Municipalities in Cox’s Bazar,

Comilla and Feni district by June 2010

Activity - Conduct capacity needs assessment for Chittagong City Corporation and 3

municipalities The key outcomes entail institutional policies for one City Corporation, 3 municipalities, change in attitudes, practice and enforcement of 100% smoke free City Corporation and 3 municipalities, and lessons that can be replicated in other municipalities and cities. Therefore it’s important to gain insight into Local government authorities thinking on the issue of smoke-free policies, capacity, existing resources, gaps and challenges in order to support development, adoption and enforcement of smoke-free policies.

To have quick detailed view of the situation YPSA conducted a qualitative assessment to understand local elected leaders perceptions on the smoke-free policies, perceived and actual capacity needs in order to help YPSA’s smoke free project introduce and get a smoke-free policies developed, adopted and enforced by the CCC and 3 municipalities. YPSA conducted a qualitative cross-sectional study using key informant interviews with purposive sample of elected officials and stakeholders from Chittagong City Corporation and 3 municipalities (Feni, Comilla and Cox’s bazar) where YPSA has implemented smoke free project. 114 key informants were interviewed comprising different stakeholders like district civil surgeon, police officers, councilors, health administrator, and administrator of education institute, religious leaders, youth leaders, and Market authority. Main outputs of the activity

- Some specific and general capacity needs identified

- Established general perception and state of current support of smoking regulation among the local elected officials and the stakeholders

- Relationship between the local government and YPSA project improved as a result of interviews and close interactions

- Recommendations for further action outlined based on findings (Report Attached)

Activity - Conduct 1 assessment findings sharing workshop with City Corporation Authorities YPSA planned and conducted assessment sharing workshop targeting Chittagong City Corporation councilors and stakeholders some of who were respondents during the interview.

This was primarily organized to share and gather feedback on the findings of the assessment. After the presentation all the participants also have provided some other recommendations and feedbacks on findings which have also incorporated in the final assessment report. The feedbacks gathered have also been incorporated in the main assessment report. Activity - Conduct 3 assessment findings sharing workshop with 3 municipal authorities During the project period, YPSA also have organized 3 Capacity need assessment finding sharing workshops at 3 municipalities. Councilors, market authority, youth leader, health administrator, administrator of education institutions participated in those workshops and also



provided some other recommendations and feedbacks on findings which have been incorporated in the final assessment report. Activity - Conduct 1 orientation workshop on "Role of institutional policies in strengthening

Smoking and Tobacco Control Act 2005" for City Corporation An Orientation workshop on “Role of institutional policies in strengthening smoking and

tobacco control act 2005” held in Chittagong. Councilors of Chittagong City Corporation have participated in the workshop. The objectives of the workshops were

• Introduce current state of Smoking and Tobacco Control in the country;

• Role of Intuitional Smoke Free Policies within the current National Framework for Smoking and Tobacco Control.

• Provide clear operational guideline for implementation of the TC law at the institutional and local level

• Strengthening enforcement of TC law at the local level by introducing clear and actionable monitoring mechanisms

• Provide clear strategies and plan for promoting awareness about effects of smoking at the local level

• Promotes coordination of smoke free environment creation efforts within the institutions

• Provides clear strategies and plan for improving capacity and practices for smoke free environment creation among local leadership

• Provides plans to ultimately reduce the risks and impact of smoking at the institutional, level among the workers and nationally

In the workshop the importance, objectives, role and benefits of institutional policy for smoke free public places at different levels, individual, organizational and community wide benefits have been discussed. All the councilors said that they will provide their support to prepare smoke free policy and will take steps to implement it. Activity: Conduct 3 orientation workshop on "Role of institutional policies in strengthening

Smoking and Tobacco Control Act 2005" for 3 municipalities With the aim to increase the understanding of the local government authorities on the relation and the role of institutional policy in strengthening implementation and enforcement of Tobacco control act 2005 at the local level. In that case YPSA has provided informational support to local authorities for enabling them to understand and get clear idea on how policies can strengthen the implementation and enforcement of the national smoke and tobacco control act 2005 and ensure the smoke free local government.

YPSA therefore organized 3 workshops on “Role of institutional policies in strengthening Smoking and Tobacco Control Act 2005" for 3 municipalities where councilors of 3 municipalities and coalition members were participated. In these workshop the importance, objectives, role and benefits of institutional policy for smoke free public places at different Levels: Individual, Organizational, community and National level have been discussed. Through these workshops, the understanding on consequence of institutional policy and the relationship between institutional smoke free policy and National smoking and Tobacco control act has increased among the participants. And recommendations for further actions and



willingness and commitment to continue their support to policy formulation, implementation and enforcement process have been gotten.

Activity: Arrange a press conference to publicize progress and future actions To inform the smoke free project progress and future actions and to seek cooperation from media YPSA has organized a press conference. Where 35 journalists from local and national newspapers of 4 working areas were presented. In the workshop, a brief paper on project progress and future action have presented and the draft smoke free guideline also shared with the journalists. Coalition members, councilors and representatives from press club also have participated. Different questions came from journalists which responded by the coalition members and councilors. Through the press conference general people have informed about smoke free project progress, future actions and smoke free policy through media publication, commitment from journalist to highlight the issue of smoke free environment and implementation and enforcement of national tobacco control law have obtained. Besides that Councilor has given commitment in making smoke free 41 wards of Chittagong City Corporation gradually. Activity: Hold 1 Orientation Workshop on Smoke Free Policy Formulation, Planning,

Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation for Chittagong city corporation authorities To orient local councils and stakeholders on the process of formulating of institutional smoke free policies and enforcement strategies YPSA has conducted a orientation workshop on “Smoke Free Policy Formulation, Planning, Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation” with the participation of Smoke free coalition members and other stakeholders in Chittagong City Corporation. In the workshop, steps in developing smoke free policy, key elements of smoke free policies, principles of policy making and ffundamentals of smoke free policies have been discussed. Key Outputs of the workshop were

1. Increased understanding of the smoke free policy formulation process and the role of Local Government as the key convener in the process

2. Formation of voluntary Smoke Free Working Group (SFWG) for the Chittagong City Corporation with the Terms of Reference to convene, guide and facilitate the smoke free policy formulation consultation workshops

3. Generated recommendations of how to engage Local Government and the different stakeholders in the smoke free policy formulation, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation process

Activity: Hold 3 Orientation workshops on Smoke Free Policy Formulation, Planning,

Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation for 3 different municipalities Since the project aims to promote smoke free public places and local government through developing, enacting, adopting and enforcing smoke free policy so YPSA intension to orient coalition members on the steps and process of smoke free formulation, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation so that they will be able to understand the steps of smoke free policy development and can actively participate in the process.



In this regards YPSA has organized 3 orientation workshops on Smoke Free Policy Formulation, Planning, Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation in Feni, Comilla and Cox’s Bazar municipalities. Coalition members, Civil Surgeon & Member secretary of tobacco control District taskforce committee, Upazill Executive Officer, representative from Bangladesh Medical Association, representatives from Press club, chief executive of municipality have participated in these workshops. In the workshop in Comilla, 3 participants have given commitment to quit smoke and the president of Village doctors welfare committee has declared that they will ensure smoke free all Village Doctor’s Chambers, all pharmacies at upazilla level in Comilla. As a result of this commitment 15 doctor’s chambers and pharmacies are now smoke free. In Feni, the Chief Executive of Feni Municipality informed that he will take initiatives to declare the smoke free Feni Municipality premises at first. The process of the declaration of smoke free Feni Municipality office from Mayor is going on. Activity: Conduct 1 workshop for developing the model policy and implementation plan for

Chittagong City Corporation For developing the draft smoke free policy a workshop was conducted with small working group and some other interested coalition members. Considering the key elements of smoke free policy, a draft outline of the policy has been prepared. The national smoking and tobacco control act and smoking and tobacco control rules, need assessment report conducted by YPSA in 4 project areas were used as guiding documents for this policy at the drafting stage. In the workshop all the participants made substantial contributions. End of the workshop a draft outline of the policy have developed. Activity: Conduct 1 workshop for revision and finalization of Smoke free policy for Chittagong

City Corporation Considering the overall purpose of the Policy, the local elected leaders emphasized strengthening the enforcement of national laws at the local level as the main focus to create smoke free environments. Therefore they preferred terming the document as “Smoke Free

Enforcement Guideline” rather than “Policy” for in their consideration the goal can be achieved through focused and practical guideline to enforcement with appropriate support. This is also considering the overly centralized policy making process, structural and political barriers that exist, which may as well completely derail the gradual progress in building political support for smoke free environments. Therefore the councilors and other local stakeholders advised to refer the document as Smoke Free Enforcement Guideline, which will also allow smoke free document a quick entry point and approval by the council and into the council agenda. The two documents national law and the policy also provides strengthen enough for 100% smoke free environments enforcements at workplaces and public spaces at the local level.



Activity: Conduct 3 workshops for developing the model policy and implementation plans for 3

municipalities YPSA has organized 3 workshops for developing the model policy for 3 municipalities with the participation of 3 small working groups. Based on the findings of capacity need assessment of local government conduct by YPSA and national tobacco control act and rules a draft outline have been developed following the key elements of smoke free policy. All the participants suggested to call it as smoke free guideline. A short action plan has developed on how the groups will proceed with the draft guideline. With guidance and support of Smoke Free Working Groups, YPSA has developed draft smoke free guideline for Feni, Comilla and Cox's Bazar Municipality with the aim to protect the non smoking people of Chittagong and Bangladesh working in or visiting enclosed and partially enclosed workplaces and public places from exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke. The policy seeks to assist individuals and organizations within the municipalities to understand their responsibilities under smoke free legislation and to ensure that Municipalities regulatory authorities take a consistent, fair and proportionate approach to enforcement. The guideline also ensures the maximum smoke free places so that smokers have least chances to smoke.

Activity: Conduct 3 workshops for revision and finalization of Smoke Free Policies for 3

Municipalities YPSA has supported 3 workshops for revision and finalization of smoke free guideline for Feni, Comilla and Cox’s Bazar Municipalities. Councilors, Coalition members and other stakeholders in 3 municipalities participated in these workshops. The draft guideline has shared with them and they provided feedbacks on it. Besides that Guidelines also have shared with Mayors of Cox’s Bazar, Feni and Comilla Municipalities, Chief executive of Comilla Municipality, Cox’s Bazar Municipality for collecting more feedbacks and comments from them. All feedbacks have incorporated in the guidelines.

In Cox’s Bazar Additional District Commissioner (ADC), Mayor and Panel Mayor also were presented in the workshop. YPSA has gotten a verbal commitment form Mayor of Cox’s Bazar to adopt the guideline in Cox’s Bazar Municipality after finalization of the guideline. Mayor also informed that on the occasion of World No Tobacco day awards will be given to those who quit smoking. And also some license with messages on anti smoking will also be distributed to rickshaw and tom tom vehicle. And ADC said that he will provide all necessary local administrative support from his side. And he also said that he will operate the mobile court as per demand of Municipality. YPSA also has shared guidelines with Government Officials like District Commissioners (Chairmen of District tobacco control Taskforce), Civil surgeon (Member secretary of district taskforce committee), Additional district Commissioners and Journalists. Different feedbacks also have collected from them which have incorporated in smoke free guideline.



Activity: Publish draft City Corporation smoke free policy and Municipal policies for public

comments in a national newspaper For informing the mass people about smoke free guideline and collect feedback for them, newspaper is a very good media. So YPSA has published the guideline in a national newspaper name “Sangbad” for collecting feedback from all people. Besides that YPSA has posted the guideline in YPSA’s web side also. Activity: Local leaders and stakeholders engagement workshop aiming to get local government

authorities commitment on 100% enforcement It is very important to engage local leader and other stakeholder besides coalitions to do the advocacy and lobbying to get commitment from local government as they can play a role as a pressure group. In this regards a local leaders and stakeholders engagement workshop has organized in CCC where Additional District Commissioner, Councilors, transport authorities, market authorities, health institutions authority, transport authorities and coalition members have participated. The guideline has shared in the workshop and seeks cooperation from them to adopt guideline by the local government. All the participants appreciated the guideline and express their willingness to engagement of them. Some participants said that they will take immediate initiatives to make their workplace and public place smoke free. Additional District Commissioner (General) of Chittagong district was presented as chief guest in the workshop. He said that he will conduct the mobile court regularly, take initiatives to activate the district taskforce committee and also will take action to remove small shops beside school where purchase cigarette and biri. He also said that as per the implementation strategies of smoke free guideline he will prefer non smoker in the recruitment process in future.

Activity: Organize a workshop to facilitate the adoption of smoke free policy Chittagong City Corporation has 41 wards where a total of 55 councilors (Male and Female) are working. For adopting the guideline it is very important to have concern and support of all the councilors about it. They can play an imperative role to motivate Mayor to adopt the guideline. In this regards, YPSA has organized a workshop to facilitate the adoption of smoke free guideline with all CCC councilors in Chittagong. Councilors, members of different standing committees and officials of CCC have participated in the workshop. The guideline has shared with them. They discussed on the guideline and its implementation process. They have also suggested to contact with Mayor with some coalition members and councilors and share the guideline. They also said that they will discuss about the smoke free guideline in the monthly general meeting of CCC. Besides that Advocacy and Lobby meeting with Mayor of Chittagong City Corporation, District commissioners, Mayors of all 3 municipalities have conducted for the adoption of the institutional smoke free policies

Activity – Orientation with newly elected Chittagong City Corporation Mayor and councilors



The Chittagong city corporation election held in the year of 2010 where new Mayor and new councilors elected. To inform YPSA’s initiatives for ensuring smoke free environment in City

corporation areas and the harms of tobacco use YPSA organized an orientation with new Mayor and all councilors of Chittagong City Corporation. In the orientation, smoke free coalition also presented there. In the orientation Mr. Mohammed Manjur Alam, Mayor of Chittagong City Corporation has declared smoke free Chittagong City Corporation. He said that 41 ward offices of Chittagong City Corporation would be smoke free first and all other public spaces and public transport

would also be smoke free gradually. Mayor also declared some steps towards smoke free city corporation which were as follows

o Smoke Free messages will be published in all circulations of Chittagong City Corporation.

o Smoke free messages will be placed on around 70000 rickshaw’s licenses plat o Chittagong City Corporation will form ward base smoke free committee headed by Ward

councilors who will monitor and take grass root level initiatives in each ward. o Mayor will call a meeting for implement the smoke free Chittagong City Corporation

within a short time where YPSA will be invited. o Mayor has given responsibility to Social Welfare standing committee and Health

Department for smoke free initiatives All councilors, panel mayor, officials of Chittagong City Corporation, smoke free coalition members and journalists were attended in the meeting. During the session, mayor signed on a board marked "Smoke Free Chittagong City Corporation". YPSA handed over the Smoke Free Guideline to the Mayor. Harms of SHS and smoke free initiatives of YPSA and Chittagong City Corporation (CCC), present status of tobacco consumption in Bangladesh, benefits of smoke free environment and some proposal to CCC for the “Smoke Free City Corporation” were discussed by YPSA. Proposals were as follows-

1. Adoption and implementation of smoke free guideline for the CCC. 2. Ensure implementation and enforcement of National Tobacco control act 2005 3. Declare “Smoke Free City Corporation” including all public places and public transport 4. Ban displaying of all tobacco advertisements like leaflets, posters, bill board, wall writing

in the CCC area 5. Place smoke free messages on the license plats of all rickshaws and other vehicles. 6. Ban all tobacco product’s related display box in the CCC area 7. Prohibit tobacco products sale within 100 meter areas of all educational institutions

which contribute to reduce tobacco consumption and also reduce Eve teasing 8. Take necessary steps for wall painting with smoke free messages in different places

under Chittagong City Corporation 9. Operate mobile court regularly



10. Give responsibility to any department/unit/committee/person for the enforcement of smoke free laws and initiatives

11. Encourage employers to prioritize non-smokers for the job recruitment 12. Display ‘No Smoking’ Signage in all public places and public transport in CCC 13. Regular air quality monitoring

In the meeting YPSA has shared initiatives of Mr. Mike Bloomberg, Mayor of New York City for “Smoke free New York City” as an example which also encouraged the participants to take some special decisions for smoke free city. After the both presentation participants have participated in open discussion session and they has given some new ideas and their concern for smoke free city corporation. Besides that Mr. Jahangir Hossain, councilors of 26 no ward has officially declared that he will quit smoke from this meeting. Professor Dr. A.Q.M Serajul Islam, ex-head of Skin and venereal disease department of Chittagong Medical collage and hospital has moderated the discussion session. Mr. Palash Chowdhury, Director (Finance) was given welcome speech on behalf of YPSA. Activity – Organize smoke free declaration program For ensuring the smoke free environment by the local government at their own jurisdictions through adopting and enforcing the smoke free guideline, YPSA organized 4 smoke free declaration program with the collaboration of each local government. In each program Mayor, councilors, officials of local government and coalition members were participated. YPSA discussed the importance of smoke free guideline and also presented some proposal in front of them. All the Mayors agreed on the importance of smoke free guideline and approved and signed the smoke free guideline and each of the local government has given the responsibility to specific department and persons for taking necessary steps to implement their guideline. Besides that Mayors of Feni and Comilla municipality have declared smoke free local government and signed the smoke free board.

Objective 3: Strengthen the enforcement of 100% smoke free policies and practice

in Chittagong City Corporation and 3 other municipalities by December 2010

Activity: Conduct advocacy and lobbying workshop targeting city Corporation and 3

municipalities YPSA has done advocacy and lobbying with 4 local governments for adopting the smoke free guideline. As a part of this advocacy YPSA has organized 4 workshops in 4 working areas where councilors, coalition members, local government officials and other stakeholders were participated. YPSA has formally handed over the smoke free guideline to local government authorities.

Tourist area Cox’s Bazar Municipality has declared as “Smoke Free Cox’s Bazar Municipality” by Mr. Sarowar Kamal, the Mayor of Cox’s Bazar Municipality in the workshop. Mayor also approved Smoke Free Guideline for the Cox’s Bazar Municipality that was developed by the



initiative of YPSA and coalition members. Smoke free Coalition has given a Crest to the Mayor for his initiatives this regard. Mayor has given the responsibility to Health department of Cox’s Bazar Municipality for implementing the guideline. Mayor also informed that municipality will do campaign for increase awareness among the mass people collaboration with all other sectors and stakeholders.

In Comilla, Chief Executive of Comilla Municipalit, has received the smoke free guideline on behalf of Mayor. He said that he will take necessary action for adopting and enforcing the guideline by the Municipality.

In Feni, the smoke free guideline has handed over to Feni municipality and Secretary of municipality and medical Officer of Feni municipality has jointly received the guideline on behalf of Mayor. They said that they will discuss it in their monthly general meeting and will adopt the guideline. And they have shown positive response on it.

Since the Chittagong City Corporation Election held during this period and new Mayor and Councilors have elected so YPSA has given the importance on to develop rapport with newly elected Mayor and Councilors. YPSA sited with Mayor and councilors in several times. And also has given the guideline to health Chief of Chittagong City Corporation and also discussed about the guideline, smoke free Chittagong City Corporation and No smoking signage. Mayor of Chittagong City Corporation has approved in their General meeting to display No smoking signage in all public places under City Corporation.

Activity: Develop 10000 copies of booklets (friendly version) on anti tobacco and smoke free

institutional policies and disseminate widely Smoke free guideline for Chittagong City Corporation, Feni, Comilla and Cox’s Bazar municipality adopted by the Mayor of each area. The enforcement of the guideline depends on the knowledge and information of the people about the guideline. It also demands an easy access of the guideline. So YPSA with the collaboration of the local government developed 10000 copies of booklets on anti tobacco and smoke free guideline. These guidelines were disseminated through the local government authority.

Activity: Hold community rallies involving awareness raising and march to campaign for

smoking and tobacco control in public spaces YPSA has taken some strategies to raising awareness and campaign for smoking and tobacco control in public place. Since rally can play a role to reach any message to mass people and involve people so YPSA has organized rally in Chittagong City Corporation where around 150 people including coalition members, Councilors, students, different volunteers groups, NGOs were participated. Through the rally poster and stickers published by YPSA with messages on smoking prohibited in Public Spaces and public transport by national law were distributed. Panel Mayor of CCC has inaugurated the rally.



YPSA also has organized 3 launching program of Poster and stickers on Smoke Free messages in Cox’s Bazar, Comilla and Feni.

Activity: Develop report card on the progress of the implementation of the institutional policies

and tobacco Control law Report card is one way to participate in and improve the enforcement of any law or policies of any city or area. It‘s a simple and flexible tool where has the stakeholder participation and which will enable to measure the performance of the local government in enforcing the smoke free guideline that stress them and the effectiveness of their responses. So YPSA wants to use this tool for monitor the progress of the implementation of the smoke free guideline and tobacco control law. In this regards YPSA conducted report card with the aim to assess the implementation of Tobacco Control Law enacted by government, and smoke free guideline for local government formulated by smoke free coalition with the facilitation of YPSA at Chittagong City Corporation, Comilla, Feni and Cox’s Bazar Municipality. The objectives of report cards were 1. To assess implementation of the tobacco control law in smoke free public places and public

transport in the project areas. 2. To assess the ban of tobacco advertisement as per tobacco control law and guideline in

project working areas. 3. To observe the environment after displaying vigilance notice. 4. To know the affectivities of smoke free guideline in working areas. 5. To assess the status of guideline and law implementation and enforcement by the local

government and central government body. Report card has conducted based on some sets of indicators. The indicators have been grouped into two categories. One group is for monitoring indicators and another is for progress indicators. Around 187 public places and public transport have been visited so far. The report card findings showed that in the visited places 80% compliance the tobacco control law. (Report Attached)

Activity: Follow up meeting with municipalities and Chittagong City Corporation for

enforcement For ensuring the adoption and enforcement of the smoke free guideline by the local government YPSA has continuously maintain relationship, contact and communication with local government. YPSA has conducted 12 follow up meeting with municipalities and City corporation. As a result of those follow up meeting Mayor of 4 areas agreed to adopt the smoke free guideline and declared smoke free areas. Activity: Monitoring of smoke free public places With the initiatives of YPSA a total of 577 public places and public transport already have declared smoke free during the entire project period. During this period, YPSA has conducted monitoring in some selected smoke free public place as sample basis for

• assessing enforcement of smoke-free environments in all public places and public transports;



• providing necessary recommendations to the relevant authority for better enforcement and compliance of tobacco laws and policies.

Two methods have followed as per the checklist for collecting information e.g. observation to assess the behavior of smoking in public places and public transports and interviews of key stakeholders. The findings shown that the situation of the law implementation is improving in the smoke free places but there also need some strong steps. Activity: Tobacco control taskforce meeting Taskforce is a legal body of government which is responsible for enforcing the tobacco control law headed by district commissioner. But all the taskforce are not active enough. For activate taskforce, YPSA applied for membership of taskforce as a representative of BATA in all 11 districts under Chittagong Division. In the meantime YPSA has gotten 9 taskforce memberships at district and sub district level. Meanwhile 5 taskforce meeting held. Some important decisions taken in those meeting as follows

� Run mobile court regularly � Include Community Police and president of Market association as taskforce member � Micro credit providing organizations could not provide any loan to tobacco farmer for

tobacco cultivation in Cox’s Bazar � Govt. khas land will not be allocated to any farmer for tobacco cultivation in Cox’s

Bazar. � Organize Task force meeting regularly � Remove tobacco add (bill board) � Organize awareness program and disseminate information through local organization � Ensure smoke free public places and transport

After the meeting in Cox’s Bazar all the tobacco seedling has destroyed from the Government khas land by the district commissioner of Cox’s Bazar.

Activity: Wall writing on smoke free city or municipalities Most of the city corporation and municipalities put message on different issues like cleanliness, tax, health etc through wall writing for informing the mass people and aware them about the issue. Since the Chittagong City Corporation and 3 municipalities declared as smoke free by the Mayors so YPSA proposed them to put some message on anti smoking through wall writing so that the people will be informed about smoke free city and maintain accordingly. All the Mayors approved it. Wall writings with anti smoking message have placed in different places in 4 areas. Activity: Develop and publish YPSA’s smoke free policy For mainstreaming the smoke free environment in YPSA, YPSA has developed and passed the smoke free guideline in its general and Executive committee meetings. Now this is part of YPSA’s policy. The guideline is effected for all YPSA’s General and executive members, staffs, volunteers, visitors, guests, stakeholders in YPSA’s all offices, all types of centers and schools. YPSA is the first NGO in Bangladesh who passed the smoke free guideline.



Objective 4. Enhance sharing of experiences and knowledge across model

institutions to allow replication of promising practices and lesson in smoking and

tobacco control in Chittagong division, other cities and nationally. Activity -Arrange for 1 International and 1 national exposure visits for local authorities and

project representative to learn and share skills on the role of local government in tobacco

control Exposure visit helps professionals to exchange information, lessons learned and good practices with others. It also helps to build greater understanding across the selected issue, and shared the concern and potential areas for future collaboration. This also is to learn on how the learning documented. Replicable strategies and lesson learnt can be integrated with ongoing initiatives and strengthen and bring useful success in future. Keeping this in mind YPSA has arranged 2 exposure visits. One visit held in India and another one in Sylhet. One smoke Free Exposure visit held in Kerala, India from 7th to 12th March 2011. A team of 14 members have participated in this visit aiming on gaining experience and sharing knowledge of smoke free advocacy program of Kerala Voluntary Health Service (KVHS) based in Kerala, India. There were members from NGO affairs bureau (Bangladesh), Chittagong City Corporation, Rajshahi City Corporation, Shimantik, NATAB, ACD, AID and YPSA. The team visited the grass root activities of KVHS in Koyttam and Cochin of Kerala where they met with KVHS senior staffs, Panchayat members, the Collector, a school authority, trade union leaders of Koyttayam and a meeting with the smoke free coalition members of Cochin and a Street drama also organized for the visiting team, Besides, the team also visited so many public places those are declared and established as smoke free places by fixing smoke free singes in Kerala. The trip has brought a unique opportunity for the visiting team to acquire information and experiences about the smoke free campaign in a place like tourist. The team learned how the local government institutions are working to enforce the law and also gained a networking with civil society and NGOs who are working together to fight against tobacco usage in Kerala. (Report Attached)

Another visit has organized in Sylhet to observe Tobacco Free project initiatives by Shimantik, an NGO. 9 participants from YPSA’s smoke free Coalition of 4 areas along with YPSA staffs have participated in the visit. The team visited smoke free model police station, met with district magistrate, attended a program organized by Heart Foundation and met with Shimantik team. Both YPSA and Shimantik shared their experiences. YPSA has learnt a lot from Shimantik. Activity - Participate and share information and experiences in other relevant national and

regional health events/forums YPSA is a founder and active member of Bangladesh Anti Tobacco Alliance (BATA). Since its inception YPSA has been actively participating in anti tobacco initiatives at local and national



level. As a member of BATA YPSA has participated in different events and movement at national level organized by BATA. Besides that YPSA participated in different events, training and workshops organized by different organizations like WBB trust, UBINIG, NATAB, WHO, Heart Foundation, Unnayan Somonnay, CAB, PROGGA, BCCP, NTCC, MRDI, Manobik and other organizations in Bangladesh. YPSA also maintaining networking and liaison with Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and regularly participated in NTCC coordination meeting. One of the BI grantees, YPSA regularly participated in monthly BI Grantees and partners Coordination meeting where all the grantees and Partner shared their monthly project progress, gaps, challenges and future action and some cooperative approach also identified and taken measure of combined efforts to take further advocacy action and meet any problems at local and national level. YPSA also has provided its resource support for sharing YPSA’s experiences with ACLAB, AID, Shimantik and NATAB in their orientation workshops. Besides that YPSA has provided direct support to organize events in Chittagong on tobacco control issue initiated by other organizations. Through participating in all events and program YPSA could share its knowledge, experiences, learning and best practices and also gathered new experiences, idea from others.

Activity: Develop online list serve (group e- mail) to facilitates sharing of knowledge and

information for continuous communication For sharing learning experiences and knowledge and continuous communication, YPSA developed e group on tobacco control. Activity: Combined meeting with all coalition members With the aim to exchange experiences, views, new ideas and make the relationship among the all coalition members YPSA has organized a combined meeting where coalition members of all 4 areas have participated. The meeting has facilitated by the coalition members. Each coalition has shared their own initiatives, success, challenges and future plan. They also shared their learning gathered from exposure visit in Kerala and Sylhet. They have interacted with each other and relationship among them has strengthened. Activity: Participate in APACT 2010 in Australia The Asia Pacific Association for the Control of Tobacco has organized the Asia Pacific Conference on Tobacco or Health (APACT 2010), held on 6-9 October 2010 at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, New South Wales, Australia. APACT 2010 aims to encourage tobacco control and public health advocates, researchers, practitioners, policy makers, and especially youth leaders, to share experiences and discuss strategies for implementation of



the FCTC. Mr. Arifur Rahman, Chief Executive has submitted an abstract on “Readiness of local government to adopt and enforce smoke free policy” and also accepted by the APACT committee for Poster presentation. He participated in the APACT accordingly. These social events provided an ideal opportunity to network with colleagues and associates in a relaxed and unique environment. Activity - Quarterly Coordination, Monitoring and Evaluation meetings by project team A total of 24 Coordination meeting with the participation of project staffs have been conducted. The project goal, objectives, activities and the mechanism of the project implementation from different working areas has been discussed in the 1st meeting to orient the project team members on the project so that they can run the project efficiently. Besides that Quarterly and monthly plan were prepared. The agendas of coordination meetings were;

• To review the plan and take action accordingly

• To share learning and challenges

• To get suggestions and new idea for improvement

• To strengthen coordination among initiatives and working areas and all the stakeholders Outcome of the meeting were remarkable as it was the main platform where detailed discussion, interaction and decisions has made for the betterment of the project and performance.



Formative Report

Activities Planned Achieved

Objective 1: Inform, persuade and form a coalition of supportive

government institution, local business, journalists, non governmental

organizations and community based organizations in Chittagong

Division by September 2009.

Identify supportive leadership in the Chittagong city corporation, 3 municipalities and conduct 4 informational briefing meetings

4 4

Conduct 1 orientation workshop on "Current state of smoking and tobacco regulation and prevention mechanisms in Chittagong and the whole country" for city corporation authorities including public market authorities

1 1

Conduct 3 orientation workshops on "Current state of smoking and tobacco regulation and prevention mechanisms at the municipal level" for 4 municipal authorities including public market authorities in 3 districts

3 3

Conduct 2 orientation workshops with journalists on smoke-free policies (Orientation with different stakeholders)

5 5

Reproduce and disseminate 20,000 copies of a booklet on National Smoking and Tobacco Control Act 2005(see note5) to popularize the law and reach low and illiterate groups both in English and Bangla [@ $0.148 x 20,000]

20,000 copies

20,000 copies

Conduct skills building workshop on advocacy and lobbying strategy development and action planning for the coalition group members

1 1

Develop 30,000 copies of stickers with “Anti-Tobacco and Smoke free" notices and disseminate widely. [@ $0.045 x 30,000]

30,000 copies

30,000 copies

Identify potential supporters in Civil society and establish a joint advocacy coalition group: Conduct 4 consultation workshops with potential coalition members and implementing partners

4 4

Convert the National Smoking and Tobacco Control law booklet into digital book in Bangla for easy access by the visually challenged and low literate people and disseminate to local authority offices and centers.

1 1

Develop and disseminate 10,000 copies A2 size posters with anti–tobacco messages and pictures targeting the public to increase awareness and generate public action on law enforcement [@ $0.088 x 10,000]

10,000 copies

10,000 copies

Organize Leadership Capacity development training with coalition 4 4

Objective 2. Support the development and adoption of the model

institutional policies for Chittagong city corporation and 3 Municipalities

in Cox’s Bazar, Comilla and Feni Districts by June 2010

Conduct capacity needs assessment for Chittagong City Corporation & 3 municipalities

1 1

Conduct 1 assessment findings sharing workshop with City Corporation Authorities

1 1

Conduct 3 assessment findings sharing workshop with 3 municipal authorities 3 3

Conduct 1 orientation workshop on "Role of institutional policies in strengthening Smoking and Tobacco Control Act 2005" for City Corporation

1 1




Conduct 1 orientation workshops on "Role of institutional policies in strengthening Smoking and Tobacco Control Act 2005" for 3 municipalities

3 3

Arrange for a press conference to publicize progress and future actions 1 1

Hold 1 orientation workshop on Formulating ,Planning ,Implementing ,Monitoring and Evaluation for smoke free institutional policy with Chittagong city corporation authorities

1 1

Hold 1 orientation workshop on Developing ,Planning, Implementing ,Monitoring and Evaluation of smoke free institutional policy with 3 different municipalities

3 3

Hold 1 workshop for developing the model policy and implementation plan for Chittagong City Corporation

1 1

Hold 1 workshop for revision and finalization of Smoke free policy and implementation plan for Chittagong City Corporation

1 1

Hold 3 workshops for developing the model policy and implementation plans for 3 municipalities

3 3

Hold 3 workshops for revision and finalization of smoke free model policy and implementation plans for 3 municipalities

3 3

Publish draft City Corporation & Municipal policy smoke free policy for public comments in a national newspaper

1 1

Local leaders and stakeholders engagement workshop aiming to get local government authorities' commitment on 100% enforcement

1 1

Organize a workshop to facilitate the adoption of smoke free policies 1 1

Orientation with newly elected Chittagong City Corporation Mayor and councilors

1 1

Organize smoke free declaration program 4 4

Objective: 3- Strengthen the enforcement of 100% smoke free

policies and practice in Chittagong city corporation and 3

municipalities by December 2010

Conduct 1 Advocacy and lobbying workshop targeting City Corporation authorities

1 1

Conduct 3 Advocacy and lobbying workshops targeting 3 municipal authorities in 3 Districts

3 3

Develop 10,000 booklets (friendly version) on Anti-tobacco and Smoke free institutional policies and disseminate widely [@ $0.296 x 10,000]

10,000 copies

10.000 copies

Hold 2 community wide awareness campaigns on anti tobacco and the smoke free institutional policies targeting general public

5 5

Develop 1 report card on the progress of the implementation of the institutional policies and Tobacco Control Law by July 2010

1 1

Follow up meeting with municipalities and Chittagong City Corporation for enforcment

10 12

Monitoring of smoke free public spaces 4 areas 4 areas




Tobacco control taskforce meeting 8 5

Wall writing on smoke free city or municipalities 40 40

Develop and publish YPSA's smoke free policy (meeting with Core management team, Executive committee, general committee and print 1000 copies)

1 1

Objective : 4- Enhance sharing of experiences and knowledge across

model institutions to allow replication of promising practices and

lesson in smoking and tobacco control in Chittagong division, other

cities and nationally.

Arrange for 1 international and 1 national exposure visits for local authorities and project representative to learn and share skills on the role of local government in tobacco control

2 2

Collect ,compile information on lessons ,develop and publish promising practice document

1 1

Participate in different meeting, workshop, seminar at national level organized by NTCC, MOHFW, BATA and other organizations

As needed

Need based

Develop online list serve (group e-mail) to facilitate sharing of knowledge and information and continuous communication 1 1

Combined meeting with all coalition members for learning and experience sharing 1 1

Participate in APACT 2010 1 1



b. All completed activities which were not included on the project workplan, � Meeting with Director of Bloomberg Philanthropies and CTFK representatives Ms. Kelly Henning, Director of Bloomberg Philanthropies has visited Bangladesh and she met with 3 BI grantees like WBB Trust, AID and YPSA. Ms. Lilia Gheorghiu, Associate Director, International Grants of CTFK and Ms. Anuradha Khanal, program officer of CTFK were also with her. All the grantees presented their project interventions, progress, challenges and learning before them. They appreciated all of our initiatives in Bangladesh and provided some suggestions and feedbacks to do more and enhance tobacco movement in future. � Visit of CTFK International Grants Director, Officials from the Bloomberg

Philanthropies and the UNION Ms. Pamela Sumner Coffey, Director, International Grants of CTFK accompany with Ms. Kelly Larson, from Bloomberg Philanthropies, Delhi office and Mr. Md. Akramul Islam, Technical Consultant from The UNION visited YPSA and reviewed YPSA project titled ‘ Promoting Smoke Free Local Government and Public Places in Chittagong Division’ on 21st July’09 in YPSA head office. They met with YPSA management and the project team and the Project team leader Ms. Nasim Banu briefed about the project progress to the team. The team also met some Ward Councilors of Chittagong City Corporation and had discussion with them. Besides, after the meetings in Chittagong Ms. Kelly Larson from Bloomberg Philanthropies, Delhi office and Mr. Md. Akramul Islam, Technical Consultant from The UNION went to Cox’s Bazar and met with the Mayor of Cox’s Bazar Pourashova and the Civil Surgeon of Cox’s Bazar.

� Visit of CTFK Finance and Compliance Officer- Ms Lilia Ms. Lilia from CTFK has visited YPSA. She met with senior management team of YPSA and project team members. Brief presentation on YPSA’s initiatives and a presentation on the project were made. Through the presentation she has gotten an idea about YPSA’s involvement in the development field from last years, YPSA’s vision and mission and also the initiatives on smoke free workplace. She also shared with YPSA about CTFK and it’s initiatives throughout the world. She also met with finance personnel of YPSA to know about the finance and accounts procedure and its transparency. � Meeting with Program Officer of CTFK Ms. Anuradha Khanal A meeting between Ms. Anuradha Khanel, Program Officer, CTFK and YPSA’s Smoke Free project Team members held in Chittagong on 13th November 2009. Mr. Md. Arifur Rahman, Chief Executive, YPSA presided over the meeting. In the meeting, YPSA has presented the project status before her. Ms. Anuradha suggested YPSA to involve restaurant association with smoke free initiatives and to address the issue of smokeless tobacco within their project. Besides that the issues of capacity building of YPSA, campaign program, international exposure visit, coalition building, travel cost attending in different coordination meeting have discussed.

� Director General of NGO Affairs Bureau visited YPSA Director General of NGO Affairs Bureau, Mr. Mustak Hassan Md. Iftekhar, Government of Bangladesh visited YPSA’s Cox’s Bazar Office and its development activities. Mr. Subir Kishore Chowdhury, Director and Mr. Mohammed Enamul Haque, Senior Assistant Secretary of NGO Affairs Bureau attended in the visit along with some other officials. During his visit The status of smoke free project of YPSA and the tobacco control and smoking situation in Cox’s



Bazar have shared with him and he also has observed all documents and photographs of smoke free project in Cox’s Bazar. He appreciated YPSA’s smoke free project as one of the special initiatives in the development process in Cox’s Bazar. As tourist spot, he mentioned, it’s very essential to implement such project in Cox’s Bazar so that it can be an example for the other parts of the country. It was an opportunity for YPSA to share him about the some of the billboards of cigarette companies those set up in Cox’s Bazar. After having this information The Director General (DG) immediately directed to the responsible officer to take strong action to withdraw such billboards. � The Coordinator of National Tobacco Control Cell visited YPSA’s smoke free program Mr. Iqbal Kabir, Coordinator of National Tobacco Control Cell has visited YPSA’s smoke free project in Cox’s Bazar. He met with smoke free Coalition and Mayor of Cox’s Bazar Municipality there. He requested Mayor to take initiatives for making smoke free tourist city through executing the Healthy City concept of Municipality.

� The Union and AID has visited YPSA’s Program AID one of the BI grantee who is working on Smoke free Issue in Khulna Division supported by The Union. During the reporting period, AID has organized a exposure visit and a team from The Union and AID has visited YPSA’s smoke free Program in Cox’s Bazar and Chittagong. YPSA has shared about the smoke free initiatives, its objectives, process, challenges and experiences. The team visited some places which already been declared as smoke free and rickshaw license plat. They have participated in the smoke free Cox’s Bazar municipality declaration program and enjoyed a lot. They met with smoke free Coalition of Cox’s Bazar and share about their experiences and initiatives. The team also met with the core management team of YPSA. YPSA also gained experiences from the team and they have provided some suggestions what could we incorporate in our program.

� Shimantik has visited YPSA’s smoke free Program in Cox’s Bazar and Chittagong Shimantik is a BI Grantee which is working on Tobacco free Sylhet project in Sylhet supported by CTFK. Since YPSA is working on smoke free local government in Chittagong so to share YPSA’s initiatives and experiences Shimantik has visited YPSA’s smoke free project in Cox’s Bazar and Chittagong. The team visited some smoke free places, rickshaw license plat and participated in an interaction with Local Government representatives. A sharing meeting also organized with the team for sharing YPSA’s smoke free initiatives, it’s implementation process, learning, successes, challenges and future plan. They also interacted with coalition members of Chittagong City Corporation.

� Organize 1st Sub National smoke free project Workshop

Sharing of experiences on any issues provides lessons and insights on how to advance any initiatives, initiate working relation with different stakeholders and enable the organization to reach the organization the ultimate objectives of those initiatives. It also facilitates in enhancing knowledge and skills and encouraging people to do the better performance in one’s field. Keeping this is in mind, the Social Development Organization YPSA and Research & Advocacy Organization PROGGA jointly organized the 1st Sub-National workshop on Smoke Free issue titled as



“Bangladesh Sub-National, Smoke-Free Project Workshop” in Chittagong on 11th to 12th November 2009, which were cooperated by Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids (CTFK), The Union and Bloomberg Initiatives. The aim of the workshop is to enhance knowledge, skills and experience sharing for effective smoke free environment creation at sub national level in Bangladesh. The objectives of the workshop are to

• Share the progress and current state of tobacco control efforts at the national level

• Share knowledge, skills and experiences on smoke free environment advocacy projects at sub national, national and international level

• Explore the Government-NGO Partnership and effective smoke free environment enforcement strategies at local level

• Determine effective strategies for coordination, coalition building and working with the media to support sub national smoke free initiatives

The workshop has been facilitated by expert and experienced facilitators from CTFK, The UNION, WBB Trust, PROGGA and YPSA. The workshop has participated by the representatives from different NGOs, around the country, working on the Smoke-Free Campaign like- WBB Trust, ACLAB, AID, BICD, ACD, BCDP, PUP, NATAB, Shimantik, Chittagong City Corporation, Darpan-Comilla, Cox’s Bazar Municipality, Feni Human Development Foundation, YPSA and PROGGA. The workshop has inaugurated by Dr. Rezaul Karim, Director, Department of Health, Chittagong Division in the opening session where Ms. Anuradha Khanal, Program Officer, CTFK, Ms. Shoba John, Smoke Free Expert, CTFK, Dr. Md. Akramul Islam, Technical Consultant, The Union, Mr. Saifuddin Ahmed, Executive Director, WBB Trust, Mr. Md. Arifur Rahman, Chief Executive, YPSA and Md. Taifur Rahman, Chairman, PROGGA also have spoken. The major outcome of the workshop were

• Participants enrich their knowledge on public awareness and advocacy on Smoke free issue, to run the Smoke free campaign

• New Grantees are well-informed and understood different perspective of Smoke Free issue

• A common consensus and mind set on the Smoke free issue is developed

• A relationship and effective networking ability has established among the organizations at the end of the workshop

• Understanding about the need of an strategically action for smoke free campaign has been developed

• Sharing of the challenges and opportunities of different actors across the country in the smoke free campaign has carried out.

• Participants gained knowledge and information on smoke free situation, law, initiatives and international frameworks

• Participants have gathered knowledge and experiences on Coalition � Organize 2

nd Sub National smoke free project Workshop

Since the 1st sub national smoke free project workshop gave a great opportunity to work together, share knowledge, skills, experiences, idea and identify future strategic direction in controlling tobacco in this region. So as a continuous process of the 1st sub national workshop YPSA and PROGGA again jointly organized the 2nd Sub-National workshop on Smoke Free issue titled as “Bangladesh 2nd Sub-National, Smoke-Free Project Workshop” in Chittagong which was



cooperated by Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids (CTFK), The Union and Bloomberg Initiatives. The aim of the workshop was to develop a coordinated strategy to strengthen sub national smoke free work in Bangladesh, by facilitating knowledge, skills and experience sharing, and establishing collaboration between the six divisional grantees and partners to work together towards smoke/tobacco free Bangladesh. It was also a good opportunity for new projects to share

progress and help formulate effective ways of working with the local government, media and other stakeholders which was the vital for the success of the smoke free projects all over the country. The workshop has been facilitated by expert and experienced facilitators from Ministry of Health and family Welfare, National Tobacco Control Cell, CTFK, The UNION, BCCP, WBB Trust, PROGGA and YPSA. The workshop has participated by the representatives from different NGOs, around the

country, working on the Smoke-Free initiatives like- YPSA, WBB Trust, ACLAB, AID, NATAB, Shimantik, ACD. � YPSA Capacity development workshop YPSA has been implementing a project on “Promoting smoke free local government and public places in Chittagong Division” with the assistance of CTFK and BI from April 2009. After launching the project YPSA felt a need to have a capacity development process for the YPSA team members for effective implementation of the project. YPSA identified some capacity gaps in the tobacco control initiatives and shared with CTFK. And CTFK cordially accept it and agreed to provide capacity support to YPSA. As a result, YPSA has organized a Capacity building Workshop for YPSA’s smoke free project team members. The workshop also the following part of the Sub national smoke free project workshop which held on 11 – 12 November 2009. The objectives of the workshop are to-

1. Build the capacity of YPSA team for building partner capacities 2. Address gaps in tobacco control policy information 3. Sharpen skills for effective communication and delivery 4. Elaborate project implementation plan

All the smoke free project team members of YPSA were participated in the workshop and it was facilitated by Ms. Shobha John, Smoke Free expert from India. Different participatory approach were followed in the workshop by which participants have informed about relationship of developmental areas like Human Rights, consumers rights, women's issues, child rights, environment, poverty, globalization, tobacco farmers with tobacco control issue, Challenges & Gaps in Community Mobilization for Smoke free Environments, Implementation & enforcement of Smoke free Policies, Tobacco Advertising Promotion & Sponsorship, Tobacco Taxation, Tobacco Packaging, Local & Global Tobacco industry: profile & practices and Smoke free Project plan: Status & Challenges.



Different challenges and gaps and some strategies also have identified through review the project progress. � Participate in Global Tobacco Control Leadership Program The Institute for Global Tobacco Control (IGTC) at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (JHSPH), Baltimore, USA has organized 5th Annual Global Tobacco Control Leadership Program, a two week leadership training program from 19th to 30th July 2010 to build effective capacity for tobacco control. As part of the Bloomberg Initiative, the 2010 Leadership Program aims to build leaders in countries experiencing the greatest burden of disease from tobacco use. 99 participants from 31 countries have participated in the program. 7 participants from Bangladesh were participated in the program. Mr. Mohammed Arifur Rahman, Chief Executive of YPSA and Ms. Nasim Banu, Team Leader, Smoke Free project of YPSA have participated in the leadership program

The main objectives of the leadership program were to strength skills in program planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, communication and advocacy; to use evidence concerning the health and economic burden of tobacco use; to develop capacity for applying principles and theories of evidence-based best practices in tobacco control to address country-specific issues and challenges; to strengthen ties and linkages to international colleagues; and to enhance leadership and networking skills to advocate for, enact,

and implement effective policy change.

Mr. Mohammed Arifur Rahman, Chief Executive of YPSA and Ms. Nasim Banu, Team Leader, Smoke Free project of YPSA have participated in the leadership program

� Participation in Capacity development Training course supported and organized by The

Union The Union is one of the Partner of BI who organizes training course for those organizations that are working on tobacco control and also for Government high officials in each year. As a BI grantee representative from YPSA has participated a total of 4 courses during this period. Ms. Nasim Banu, Program Coordinator, Smoke Free project has participated in Course on Management and Leadership in India and Regional MPOWER/FCTC workshop in Thailand. Mr. Nazmul Hyder, Program officer, Smoke Free project, YPSA has participated in Training course on Management of Managers, India. And Ms. Roksana Begum, Manager, Finance department, YPSA has participated in budget and financial management course in India. Mr. Omar Shahed, Associate Program Officer of YPSA has participated in the course of Project Management. All the training helped us to understand the management and tobacco control issue and share our knowledge, experiences and practice with other participants came from different countries which contributed to make relationship and build network with them.



� Organize World No Tobacco Day 2010 World No Tobacco Day is celebrated worldwide every year on May 31 sponsored by WHO (World Health Organization) focusing the harmful effects caused by tobacco. Each year World No Tobacco Day focuses on a specific theme. The theme for World No Tobacco Day 2010 is "Gender and Tobacco with an Emphasis on Marketing to Women". World No Tobacco Day is the perfect time to stop smoking. Since YPSA is working in Chittagong Division So YPSA has organized events in 11 districts with Health department (Civil Surgeon office) of Bangladesh Government. Since the theme of this day is “Gender and Tobacco Control with an emphasis on marketing with women” so YPSA has involved gender sensitive and women leaders. In all 11 districts, a colorful rally and discussion meeting conducted where officials of Health department, District Commissioner office, medical officers, nurse, Smoke free Coalitions, teachers, students, youth leaders, religious leaders, businessman, journalists, NGOs and general people have participated. Smoke free publications like Poster, stickers, leaflets also have been distributed to different stakeholders. Besides that some special events have taken in different districts.

In Chittagong district, YPSA gave Memorandum to 4 Candidates of Mayor in next City Corporation Election which will be held on 17th June 2010. YPSA urged to the candidates, for Mayor, of the upcoming City Corporation Election to commit for declaring smoke free Chittagong. The candidates are Mr. A.B.M. Mohiuddin Chowdhury, Mr. Manjur Alam, Mr. Solaiman Alam Sheth and Mr. Afsarul Alam. A representative team from YPSA met with Brigadier General Jahangir Hossain Mollik, Director, Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) and handover

several “No smoking” signage. A talk show on tobacco control has telecasted from Chittagong Television where the significance of World No Tobacco Day, Harms of smoking or tobacco use and Gender & Tobacco control issues have discussed.

In Cox’s Bazar district a human chain was organized in the front of district commissioner’s office with the collaboration of Health department. Around 400 people have participated in the human chain.

In Comilla, a caravan campaign has inaugurated by the deputy civil surgeon which has run by YPSA around the district town, highlighted the harms of smoking and second hand smoking and distributed stickers, posters and leaflets to different stakeholders. � Print and distribute “No smoking” signage

As per National Smoking and Tobacco Product Usages (Control) Law 2005 and rules 2006, each public place and public transport should be smoke free and display no-smoking signs that meet the requirements of the law. Signage is a very important thinks to inform people about the smoke free place and motivate people not to smoke at smoke free public spaces. There has very few signage in Chittagong City Corporation and Cox’s bazaar, Feni and Comilla municipalities areas and there also has no organization in Chittagong who distribute signage. So YPSA has taken an



initiative to publish No smoking signage and distribute in different public spaces and public transport in 4 working areas with the support from CTFK. YPSA has published No smoking signage separately for 1 City Corporation and 3 Municipalities. YPSA is using Logo of each local government in signage by taking permission from Mayors and distributing to smoke free public places and public transport.

� Assist to organize and participated in the Workshop on tobacco situation in Women

organized by WHO and MOHFW WHO and Ministry of Health jointly have organized a workshop on tobacco situation in Women in Cox’s Bazar. The main objective of the workshop was to activate the taskforce and take initiatives by them for tobacco control. In the workshop, representatives from District Commissioner offices and Civil Surgeon of 11 districts under Chittagong Division have participated. As BI grantees in Chittagong YPSA also has participated in the workshop. YPSA also have cooperated to organize the workshop.

3. List and explanation of any changes to the major objectives that occurred

during your project implementation.

During the project period, YPSA has not made any significant changes to the stated major objectives.

4. Changes to the activities set forth in the original project work plan. List

of incomplete activities as per work plan.

While implementing the project, YPSA has found several recommendations from different stakeholders on improvement of smoke free initiatives in Chittagong for enhancing the process of development of smoke free environment. Besides that YPSA also felt need to have some events and activities for achieving the objective of the project. In this regards YPSA has made some changes in the on going project plan and have taken some new activities which were as follows:

Objective 1: Inform, persuade and form a coalition of supportive government institutions,

local businesses, journalists, NGOs and CBOs in Chittagong Division 1. Conduct 2 orientation workshops with journalists on smoke-free policies (Conduct

orientation workshops with local public place and public transport authority, local leaders and other local stakeholders on smoke-free guideline)



Objective 2. Support the development and adoption of the model smoke free institutional

policies for one City Corporation and 4 municipalities 1. Orientation with newly elected Chittagong City Corporation Mayor and councilors 2. Organize smoke free declaration program

Objective 3. Strengthen the enforcement of 100% smoke free policies and practice in

Chittagong City Corporation and 4 other municipalities 1. Follow up meeting with municipalities and Chittagong City Corporation for enforcement 2. Monitoring of smoke free public spaces 3. Tobacco control taskforce meeting 4. Wall writing on smoke free city or municipalities 5. Develop and publish YPSA's smoke free policy (meeting with Core management team,

Executive committee, general committee and print 1000 copies) Objective 4. Enhance sharing experiences and knowledge across model institutions to allow

replication of promising practices in smoking and tobacco control in Chittagong Division

and nationally 1. Participate in different meeting, workshop, seminar at national level organized by NTCC,

MOHFW, BATA and other organizations 2. Develop online list serve (group e-mail) to facilitate sharing of knowledge and information

and continuous communication 3. Combined meeting with all coalition members for learning and experience sharing 4. Participate in APACT 2010 in Sydney, Australia

5. Description of the impact of the project YPSA has taken an initiative to promote smoke free public places and local government through developing, adopting and enforcing smoke free guideline with the aim to protect the people from exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke, ensure the proper implementation of national smoking and tobacco control Act 2005, 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. During the project period, the following impacts has achieved from the project

Declarations of smoke free local government and adopt the smoke free guideline Smoke free guideline for the local government was one of the major parts of the project. YPSA with the cooperation from civil society coalition groups has developed smoke free guideline. The draft guideline gradually shared with all coalition members, all BI grantees and partners in Bangladesh, BATA, local government actors, other stakeholders, taskforce members, government officials, journalists (through press conference), expert in YPSA, and smoke free law expert and collected feedback from them all. Based on all feedbacks, the guideline finalized. Finally YPSA handed over the guideline to all 4 Mayors of 4 local governments and also shared the important of the guideline with some proposal. After that, YPSA and Coalition member regularly maintained follow up and done advocacy for adopting smoke free guideline by Local government. As a result of continuous linkage and advocacy, all the Mayors of 4 areas (Cox’s Bazar municipality, Comilla municipality, Feni Municipality and Chittagong City Corporation) has approved and signed guideline. Each of the local government has given the responsibility to



specific department and persons for taking necessary steps to implement their guideline. Besides that all the Mayors have declared smoke free local government. As per the guideline the smoke free local government means “All the public places and public transport according to National tobacco control Law 2005 and also having options in smoke free guideline (hotel, motel, restaurants, NGO offices, non machinery vehicles) under the local government will be 100 % smoke free. Guideline does not allow the designated areas for smoking in any public places and public transport. Each of the local government has taken some decisions to implement the smoke free local government. E.g. Cox’s Bazar Municipality has placed no smoking messages in 3500 rickshaw license plat for awareness raising and CCC also have taken same decision. Now the local government takes the smoke free issue as in their priority list. Public places and public transport under the local government gradually becoming smoke free and disseminating signage. As a result of it smoking in public places and public transports have reduced than before. YPSA has developed a report card to monitor the compliance of tobacco control law and guideline in 4 areas. It has shown that • From percentage assessment, it can be said that Signage were present at all visited locations

• People had been found smoking in an average (17%) in the observed public places.

• The places under sampling area had been found cigarette and bidi butts at the rate of 16% and smelled cigarette smoke 17%

• Awareness of the Tobacco Control Law is also high. 84% of those interviewed in Chittagong City Corporation, 69% for Cox’s Bazar, 75% for Feni and 76% for Comilla reported they were aware of the law.

• Surveyor has found selling bidi and cigarette is 4% in observed areas.

Coalition movement 4 Voluntary advocacy and lobby coalition groups from civil society have been established in 4 local government areas who are working for creating smoke free environment. The awareness among the coalition members increased. As a result of it the smoker members in coalition are motivated to quit smoke and already 15 members quitted smoking and they are taking different initiatives for creating smoke free environment at their own interest.

Increase the number of Smoke free public places and public transport Along with the local government YPSA also targeted other public places and public transport which are not directly under the local government but located in the local government jurisdiction. In that cases YPSA also have provided information and orient the owners, associations of those public places and public transport. As a result of it, different Public places and vehicles have declared as smoke free place by the authorities. And no smoking Signage have distributed in different smoke free public places.



Tobacco advertisement (Billboard, wall painting, signboard) is banned by Chittagong

City Corporation in Chittagong City Corporation area. YPSA succeeded to drive the authority for the removal of billboards of tobacco companies in Chittagong City Corporations. At the early stage of the project period there were tobacco products billboards and wall painting in Chittagong city Corporation area which were clearly violation of law. YPSA informed and discussed about it to its coalition members. The president of the welfare committee of Chittagong City Corporation, who was an active member of smoke free coalition, raised this issue in one of their monthly meetings and came to a decision to remove all the billboards of tobacco companies and prohibit advertisement of tobacco products in CCC area. Based on this recommendation, CCC has taken a decision to remove all tobacco add in CCC area and circulate an official notice on "Conditions of signboard" to add firms by the tax department of CCC where they banned all tobacco add in CCC. As a result of this circulation, all billboards on tobacco add have removed in the City Corporation. Now there are no bill boards and wall paintings of tobacco companies displayed in CCC.

Tobacco Cultivation banned in Government land in Cox’s Bazar by the District

commissioner YPSA has organized a campaign launching program in Cox’s Bazar district development coordination meeting and shared about the smoke free project of YPSA. Therefore DC of Cox’s Bazar district has took the issue with a great importance and after that he declared that in the government khas land nobody can cultivate tobacco. But some of farmers when tried to cultivate tobacco on Khash land then those tobacco seedlings has destroyed. He also said that people could not cultivate tobacco in the government’s land and bank of Matamuhuri River.

6. Impact on YPSA’s capacity (i.e.- staff, infrastructure, processes, technical

expertise, etc.) During the project period, YPSA’s smoke free team members have participated in different training organized by different BI partners and Grantees. Like Global Tobacco Control Leadership Program organized by JHSPH, Capacity development Training courses and MPOWER/FCTC workshop organized by The Union, Message development workshop organized by BCCP etc. Besides that YPSA has organized and participated in 2 sub national smoke free project workshops, exposure visit, YPSA’s Capacity building workshop supported by CTFK. YPSA also participated in different events where YPSA gained knowledge and skills. As a result of all the capacity development support YPSA’s staffs are now equipped with knowledge on smoking issue and tobacco control law and they also able to handle smoke free project effectively. The capacity of YPSA to work as a resource has also been enhanced so that YPSA has provided resource support to other BI grantees in Bangladesh. In the meantime, YPSA has developed and adopted smoke free guideline for YPSA with the support from CTFK. Now the guideline is the part of YPSA’s Human resource policy. The guideline is now implementing in all offices and all other centres of YPSA. In the recruitment policy YPSA also considers the non smoker issue as a special quality.



7. The greatest challenges or constraints

While implementing the project YPSA has faced some challenges and constraints as follows-

• Long bureaucratic procedures in working with the government sometime delays implementation of project activities.

• Limited data on smoking and tobacco use that is segregated and specific to different regions in Bangladesh.

• Inadequate political commitment in implementing the National Smoking and Tobacco control law

• There are other competing priority issues that overshadow Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke in local government agenda and other organizations/institutions any stakeholders

• Frequent transfer and shifting of government officials

• Lack of clear enforcement plans, trained monitors of enforcement, limited skills and knowledge among the law enforcement authorities and civil society groups.

• High levels of knowledge about dangers of smoking and low level of behavior change

• Limited tobacco and smoking prevention interventions at the local level especially in Municipality, upazilla and Union Parishad levels

• Government officials are reluctant to activate the tobacco control taskforce committee

• Local Programs are not adequately funded

• Tobacco cultivation are increasing day by day in Chittagong Hill tracts and Cox’s Bazar

• High expectation of stakeholders to work on tobacco cultivation control

• Lack of capacity Building activities for coalition members

• Lack of mass awareness campaign to popularize the law and guideline

• Limited resource within government to operate mobile court regularly

• Tobacco control Law amendment process is very slow

• New Mayor and councilors in CCC, Feni and Cox’s Bazar have elected through election

• Tricky and frequent changes of business policy by tobacco companies.

8. Unanticipated opportunities arose during the project � Emerging Youth interest and enthusiasm in smoke free campaigns The major focus of the project is to develop smoke free policies and enforcement within 4 selected local governments and changes in practice. YPSA therefore has involved and contacted with local authority, civil society, market and transport authority, teachers, Journalist and government official. But while implementing the project it has observed that youth leaders and young generation are very much interested to involve this project. As a result students in Chittagong University, Leaders of Chittagong University Debating Society and students from different collages have involve this initiatives and they are the youth forces who can contribute a lot to the society as they will be the future leaders or authority in the society. Now some of the young leaders are the active members of coalitions who are very much active. � Work for raises Tax on Tobacco product A team from anti tobacco organization has met with the Governor of Bangladesh Bank to appeal him for taking steps to stop bank loan to tobacco companies. YPSA was one of the team



members. After that the Governor has declared that if any Bank will give any loan to any tobacco Companies then Bangladesh Bank will take action against those banks. And he also requested all banks to provide loan to all farmers who want to cultivate any others alternative crops instead of tobacco.

� Writ petition against tobacco cultivation A petition filed against 24 concerned government officials and 3 tobacco companies (British American Tobacco Company, Dhaka Tobacco company and Abul Khaer leaf company) to prevent the adverse effect on Tobacco in Bandarban Hill Districts. In Bandarban districts, there were lots of Tobacco cultivations land which impeded the food security, caused for decrease the land fertility, health hazards, deforestations and polluted environment. YPSA is one of the petitioners. The court gave judgment not to spread tobacco cultivation in any new areas or field in Bandarban and tobacco can be cultivated only in 1000 acres of land in Bandarban districts. � Activate tobacco control Taskforce Chittagong Division comprises with 11 districts and YPSA has worked in 4 districts only. But on the occasion of the World No Tobacco day in 2010, YPSA has organized programs in all 11 districts collaboration with health department and tobacco control taskforce. YPSA has given letter to all taskforces to be a partner of task force to organize events on World No Tobacco Day in 11 districts. Besides that YPSA has applied for taskforce membership in 7 districts where YPSA is not implementing the smoke free project now. YPSA jointly organized the program with taskforce. It created a good opportunity for YPSA to be a member of all taskforce and activate those and expand smoke free initiatives in other districts of Chittagong Division.

� Involve in Law amendment workshop organized by CTFK Bangladesh Government has enacted the national Tobacco control law in 2005 but the law is not fully compliance the FCTC provision and it has some loopholes. The loopholes in the existing law are one of the major causes to ensure the enforcement of the law. So it needs to amend the law for resolving the limitation. In the meantime, a draft has been finalized by the law drafting committee under the Ministry of health. For strengthening the advocacy and create a strong pressure from the tobacco control organizations for amendment the law CTFK has organized two workshops on law amendment where all BI grantees including health ministry, NTCC and National Board of Revenue were participated. In the workshop, each organization has completed their own political mapping and selected Member of Parliament to whom the grantees motivate to raise their voice regarding law amendment in the Parliament. Besides that some initiatives also been identified for law amendment advocacy. YPSA has contacted with 3 MPs in Chittagong and requested them to raise the questions in the parliament. By this way, a relation with MPs has improved and they came to know about it.

9. The most effective approach to tackling the problem at hand.

Civil society coalition formation is one of the most important approaches of YPSA’s smoke free project. Representatives from supportive members of Local Government (Councilors), media representatives, like minded development organizations, local civil society organizations, market association’s representatives, Government officials, religious leader, student forum’s representatives, transport associations, doctors and teachers are the members of coalitions. They



are very much active and enthusiastic to involve the tobacco control movement. So the coalition represents the most effective approach to tackling the problems at hand for YPSA. Besides that some other important approaches could be provided efforts to ensure the smoke free environment like campaign program for raising awareness, publish and distribute BCC materials and Capacity support.

10. New partnerships or collaborations

YPSA has closely worked with local government in 4 areas for ensuring the smoke free environment through developing the smoke free guideline. For working with local government, a good relation has developed with them and an informal partnership has developed with those local governments. Besides that YPSA became a part of BI grantees partnership. BI grantees have strong network and collaboration to work together against tobacco.

Civil society coalition, a new collaboration body has formed by YPSA which are continuously working for smoke free environment.

YPSA also the founder members of BATA and as a lead organization of BATA in Chittagong YPSA involve all types of BATA initiatives at national as well as local level.

Tobacco control Taskforce is a government body which is responsible for tobacco control law enforcement. YPSA became a member (as BATA representative) of taskforce in 9 district and sub districts level.

Through exchanging and sharing of experiences, knowledge, continuous communication, technical support, expertise, resource and initiating combined events these network and collaborations will continue in future.

11. Staff members of the project

YPSA has recruited a total of 7 full time staffs at the beginning of the project as per original budget list. The project team members were

1. Nasim Banu, Program Coordinator 2. Mohammad Ali, Program officer (Advocacy & partnership) 3. Nazmul Haider, Program Officer (Communication and Media) 4. Mohammad Omar Shahid, Associate Program Officer 5. Mohammad Harun, Associate Program Officer 6. Zhantu Majumder, Associate Program Officer 7. S. M. Sirajul Munir, Accounts Officer

Mr. Vincent Okullo, is working as Policy and Advocacy advisor to the project. And Mr. Arifur Rahman, Chief Executive is providing support to the project as focal person.



Due to better job opportunity 2 staffs from Original budget list were no longer on the project. They were Mr.Zhantu Mozumder - Associate Program Officer, and Md..Sirajul Munir - Accounts Officer. New experienced staff has appointed in their positions who were Mr. Didarul Alam, Associate Program Officer and Ms. Towhida Akter, Accounts Officer.

12. Sustainability YPSA has established 4 different civil society coalitions in its working areas which is now equipped with skills and knowledge and capable enough to continue the momentum of the project. These coalition members are very much effective and dynamic and gave a tremendous effort for achieving the goal of the existing project. The coalitions are very much enthusiastic to continue the movement of tobacco control in their respective areas. They also will continue their support to local authority in implementing and ensuring the enforcement and monitoring of tobacco control law and guideline.

One of the major objectives of the project was to adopt the smoke free guideline for local authority and 4 local governments already have adopted the guidelines. Adoption of smoke free guidelines and its successful implementation will be another tool to sustain the project’s impact in the working areas. The practices of guideline could be replicated in other parts of Chittagong Division or in country. Membership in the taskforce committee in different areas is also a mechanism to sustain the activities and YPSA will follow up their meeting as a member of the taskforce.

Awareness among the target populations about harmful effects of smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke, tobacco control law is one of the biggest tools to be sustained with little effort from the coalition members and taskforce committee in respective areas.

YPSA has provided no smoking singes in its existing working areas with the permission of the authorities of different institutions where the singes are fixed. Its found that the people are respecting the singes by not smoking in those smoke free places. These singes are prepared and fixed permanently so its remain for years and deliver the message to not smoke in public places.

Capacity development is another component to sustain the project’s activities. Advocacy skills and knowledge among sections of the coalition members on developing strategy, planning, developing messages are improved. Most of who now actively participate and share the information in both smoke free project activities and other anti smoking and tobacco events are very much active to keep the smoke free activities to carry on in future.



Annex- 1: Case Study

Smoke Free Cox’s Bazar Municipality, Comilla municipality, Feni Municipality

and Chittagong City Corporation declared by the Mayor

YPSA has taken 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 national smoking and tobacco control Act 2005, 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.

As a first step of it, YPSA conducted a capacity need assessment of local government to

identify the capacity gaps, perceptions, strength and future strategies for developing and

effectively of smoke free guideline. YPSA also formed 4 civil society coalitions in 4 working

areas and orient them about smoke free guideline. After that considering the experiences,

interest, involvement, YPSA formed 4 small working groups from the coalition who directly

worked on smoke free guideline. Based on all need assessment findings, findings from small

working group and key elements of smoke free policy, a draft outline of the guideline

prepared by YPSA.

Then the draft outline gradually shared with all coalition members, all BI grantees and

partners in Bangladesh, BATA, local government actors, other stakeholders, taskforce

members, government officials, journalists (through press conference), expert in YPSA, and

smoke free law expert and collected feedback from them all. Based on all feedbacks, the

guideline finalized. Finally YPSA handed over the guideline to all 4 Mayors of 4 local

governments and also shared the important of the guideline with some proposal. After that,

YPSA and Coalition members regularly maintained follow up and done advocacy for

adopting smoke free guideline by Local government. As a result of continuous linkage and

advocacy, all the Mayors of 4 areas (Cox’s Bazar municipality, Comilla municipality, Feni

Municipality and Chittagong City Corporation) has approved and signed guideline. Each of

the local government has given the responsibility to specific department and persons for

taking necessary steps to implement their guideline. Besides that all the Mayors have

declared smoke free local government. Each of the local government has taken some

decisions to implement the smoke free local government. As a result of it The rate of

smoking in public places has reduced than before in 4 areas.

1



2

Tobacco advertising banned by Chittagong City Corporation

YPSA succeeded to drive the authority for the removal of billboards of one

tobacco company named Dunhill. That company put billboards in several

passenger sheds of busiest places of the Chittagong City Corporation area, but

they were advertising for lighters named Dunhill. YPSA noticed those billboards

and understood it was an advertisement of their (tobacco company) cigarettes as

there were no lighters available in the market from that very company. They

were, infect, publicizing their tobacco product. YPSA informed and discussed

about it to its coalition members. The president of the welfare committee of

Chittagong City Corporation, who is a active member of smoke free coalition,

raised this issue in one of their monthly meetings and came to a decision to

remove all the billboards of tobacco companies and prohibit advertisement of

tobacco products in CCC area. The chief inspector (billboards and Signboards)

from the CCC office, who is also a coalition member, has made a immediate

drive to remove all the billboards and advertisement of tobacco products from

all the passenger sheds in Chittagong. This initiative was only successful

because of the effective coalition. Later all the members of the coalition

appreciated YPSA to notice such tricky advertisement of the company.



3

Approximately 35 acres government lands are tobacco free in Cox’s

Bazar Cox’s Bazar District is well known for its natural beauty and tourism. But, it is a

matter of great regret that the foremost characteristics of the beautiful city are getting

lost for the aggression of Tobacco farming.

As an inevitable part of the smoke free project, different workshops and meeting had

been held in different times to create smoke free environment in Cox’s Bazar

Municipality. Speakers in those arranged programs emphasized to stop the tobacco

cultivation besides stopping smoking in public places and public transports in

implanting the tobacco control act, 2005. On the continuity of the project, the first

district taskforce meeting was held with assistance of local administration on July 12,

2010. President of district taskforce committee, District Commissioner presided the

meeting. He said that tobacco cultivation destroys environment. It cannot be an

economic product. It was decided in the meeting that no person will be permitted to

cultivate tobacco from next season. Government lands will be rented with

undemanding conditions for cultivating other harmless crops.

To stop the aggression of tobacco, YPSA team met District Commissioner and

informed him the matter. Instantly, he instructed the Upazila Nirbahi Officers over

phone to stop tobacco cultivation and encourage tobacco cultivators for farming

others harmless corps. By the order of District Administration, approximately 35

acres of government lands with tobacco leaves was destroyed respectively in Ramu

and Chokoria Upazilla by the administration authority in different times. By

launching the tobacco demolition voyage, the initiative was greeted by the civil

society in Cox’s Bazar.



Smoke Chief Judicial Magistrate Court

Any court area of Bangladesh is very hectic such as sea and hill-abandoned

Cox’s Bazar chief judicial magistrate court is one of them. Most of the

visitors who come in the court area they do not know about tobacco control

law. As per that law, public place such as is considered as smoke free.

Since April 2009 YPSA has been implementing smoke free project dubbed

‘Promoting smoke free local government and public spaces in Chittagong Division’ with financial assistance from Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids

(CFTFK) and Bloomberg Global Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use to create

smoke free environment for formulating and practicing guideline. As a part

of the project, for declaring the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court of Cox’s

bazaar as smoke free area, YPSA smoke free team member met

administration officer of the court and expect assistance of court authority to

declare smoke free court. No Smoking signages had been put to inform

people about the smoke free chief Judicial Magistrate court.

4



First Smoke free Park Shadhinota Park, the most popular and traditional park in Chittagong

City Corporation Area, is now smoke free. Many people visit this place

everyday.

Though according to tobacco control law 2005, parks are not covered

as public place, the smoke free guideline formulated by YPSA covers

parks as no smoking area and City Corporation has approved it.

In this regard, as a public place, Shadhinota Park had been declared

smoke free. No smoking signage distributed and displayed at entrance

and exit points of the Park. It is the first smoke free park in

Bangladesh.

5

“promoting smoke free local government and public …ypsa.org/doc/ctfk/ypsa final report narrative...

Documents