BAT Egypt, Egyptian Hotel Association Sign Public Place Smoking MoU

Source from:  Zawya 05/26/2010

British American Tobacco, Egypt (BAT), together with the Egyptian Hotel Association (EHA) in Cairo, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at providing hotel guests in Cairo with designated non-smoking and smoking areas. Based on BAT's global Respecting Choices initiative, the agreement is the third of its kind spearheaded by the company in Egypt, beginning with a MoU signed with the South Sinai Governorate in February 2009 and followed by a similar partnership with the EHA in both Hurghada and Alexandria in late 2009. "We have seen the success achieved by the project in Hurghada and Alexandria, and we are very excited about what it can accomplish in Cairo," says Mr. Waseem Mohiedin, President of the EHA in Cairo. "The partnership allows for us to cater to all of our guests, in a way that is convenient for both non-smokers and smokers." 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, it is part of our global policy to ensure that only consenting, adult smokers are exposed to tobacco products," says Eric Jones, Area Head of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs for BAT North Africa. "Through this initiative, we are working to provide both non-smokers and smokers with designated, clearly identifiable areas, in accordance with all local laws and regulations." 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 be expanding this project into Cairo, following on the significant success we managed to attain in Sinai, Hurghada and Alexandria," says Khaled Ismail, Regulatory Affairs Manager for BAT Egypt. "Partnership has always played a vital role in our business, and we are looking forward to continued and long-term partnership with the EHA." Enditem