BAT Egypt, Egyptian Hotel Association sign public place smoking MoU

Signed in both Hurghada and Alexandria in late 2009, the program has taken immediate effect, and is in place in hotels in both Hurghada and Alexandria.

Building on a similar MoU signed with the South Sinai Governorate in February 2009, the initiative has been developed under the framework of BAT's global "Respecting Choices" program, which ensures that both non-smoking and smoking customers are equally catered to through a mutually beneficial solution.

"It is the responsibility of every hospitality organization to provide its guests with various options, whether they are smokers or non-smokers. This partnership allows our guests to fully enjoy all aspects of all hotels, while taking into account different preferences,"

says Mr. Waseem Mohiedin, President of the EHA in Alexandria.

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.

"As a responsible tobacco company, we believe in working with different entities - whether private or government - to ensure that only consenting adult smokers are exposed to tobacco products," says Beverley Spencer-Obatoyinbo, General Manager of BAT Egypt. "We are delighted to have been able to partner with as influential a body as the Egyptian Hotel Association on such a worthy 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 firmly believe that it is only through open and transparent dialogue that we can achieve truly successful results, as we managed to accomplish earlier in the year in Sharm El-Sheikh and now in Alexandria and Hurghada. Our Respecting Choices initiative proves that there are viable and practical alternatives to a complete ban on smoking in public places, which take into account the rights of both non-smokers and smokers," explains Eric Jones, Area Head of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs for BAT North Africa.