BAT, South Sinai Governorate sign MoU focusing on public place smoking

Developed under the framework of BAT's global "Respecting Choices" initiative and in partnership with the South Sinai Governorate, the campaign will see some 200 hospitality staff in the city trained in the proper procedures regarding public place smoking, including ventilation methods and area designation.

"As a major global holiday destination, and the first Green City in Egypt, we feel that we must do all we can to ensure that various options are available for all of our guests," says Mohamed Hani Metwalli, Governor of South Sinai. "This partnership with BAT allows all guests to enjoy the city's hospitality outlets while taking into account the need for specially assigned smoking areas."

"Sharm El-Sheikh is continuously seeking new opportunities and avenues of cooperation to accommodate residents and visitors," adds General Ahmed Saleh Al Edkawy, Chairman of the Sharm El-Sheikh City Council. "I am confident that through this partnership with BAT we will continue to build upon our reputation as a world-class tourism venue."

The issue of public place smoking is an ongoing one, with environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) a key component of the discussion. Through this project, clear signage will be available in outlets directing both non-smokers and smokers to their respective areas.

Staff will also undergo a comprehensive training session by BAT prior to the launch, in order to ensure that they are able to understand the policies, explain them and properly enforce them.

Beverley Spencer-Obatoyinbo, General Manager of BAT Egypt, says:

"We believe that it is through initiatives such as these that we, along with the government, are best able to accommodate non-smokers and smokers, while at the same time tackling the issue of ETS. By working together with hotel, restaurant and café staff, we can ensure not only that all guests are catered to, but also the sustainability of the initiative."

The "Respecting Choices" project, implemented by BAT in many countries worldwide, targets ETS through two methods: Segregation, which features both smoking and non-smoking areas in the same room, using airflow to limit the spread of smoke; and Separation, which features smoking rooms or lounges, using walls along with airflow techniques to prevent the smoke from spreading.

"We are delighted to have the South Sinai Governorate as our partners in this initiative, and will look to them to help us guarantee the long-term feasibility of the project," says Eric Jones, Area Head of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs for BAT North Africa. "We are confident that the success we can achieve through this partnership will act as an example of what can be accomplished through open dialogue and respect."