Smoke free days at Middle East Radisson SAS

The programme was initiated by Radisson SAS, Taba.

From Taba to Sharjah, smokers are being encouraged to kick the habit for one day a month - both staff and guests - in a bid to make Radisson SAS Hotels and Resorts a healthier place to stay.

Ghosoun Al-Qadi, Regional HR and Training Manager, and Regional Responsible Business Co-ordinator, said: "As many countries in Europe are banning smoking in working areas, including restaurants and pubs, we felt we could take a lead in the Middle East and put our responsible business beliefs into action."

The first non-smoking day - in March - has already been heralded a great success, with the regional properties displaying posters encouraging people to kick the habit - if only for one day.

Responsible Business Co-ordinators at each hotel expect more and more response from staff and guests alike, as the non-smoking days become a regular feature of the hotel calendar.

The Radisson SAS Resort, Sharjah, created posters featuring Kung-Fu fighters with the slogan 'Kick the Habit' visible to all staff.
"Thanks to the non-smoking day campaign that we ran last year - every Tuesday - abstinence proved easy on this monthly event, even for heavy smokers. Our focus now is on involvement and participation of guests," said Sharjah's Responsible Business Co-ordinator, Sherif Hanna.

At the Radisson SAS Golden Resort, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, the following strong message was placed in every guest room: "At Radisson SAS we care about the environment and health of our guests and employees."

Smokers staying and working at the Radisson SAS hotel, Riyadh, said it felt like any day during Ramadan. "It was very successful, with lots of positive comments from the staff and managers. This is a positive monthly habit, giving people the chance to practice living without cigarettes," said Riyadh's Responsible Business Co-ordinator, Jaafar Hamadin.

The non-smoking issue is big news at present. Ireland has banned smoking in public places including restaurants and bars, and Norway is planning to follow. In the US, smoking in public areas is already banned in more than five states, including New York and California.

The World Health Organisation has also issued an International Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. It provides guidelines on smoking prevention, illicit trade, advertising and promotion and product regulation. Several countries where Radisson SAS Hotels and Resorts operates hotels have ratified the WHO convention, including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, the EU, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Kuwait, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, and South Africa.

"We are acutely aware of the increasing anti-smoking lobby, and wanted to do something proactive, and the voluntary non-smoking activities is a consequence of our drive to ensure we are not just paying lip service to the ideas which underpin responsible business," concluded Ghosoun.

On May 31st, there is a global non-smoking day, "World Tobacco Free Day" organised by the World Health Organisation.