18 Jun Support for Tobacco Free Commonwealth Games
The European Healthy Stadia Network is currently lending advocacy support to Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Scotland to make sure that the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow is 100% tobacco free. This means that, if passed by the Games Organising Committee, the mega-event in Scotland will not only ban smoking in enclosed venues used for the Games, but it will not use ‘designated smoking areas’ (DSAs) in external venues connected to the Games that have been used in previous events such as the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games. In addition, as part of a 100% tobacco free policy, both ASH Scotland and Healthy Stadia are advocating that there should be no sale of tobacco products at any venue associated with the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Commenting on the call for a 100% tobacco-free Games, Sheila Duffy – Chief Executive of ASH Scotland – said: “As a family-friendly event we believe that there is no place for tobacco at the Commonwealth Games. An event celebrating healthy achievement and providing positive role models for our young people should support people to stop smoking, rather than providing facilities for them to do so.”
“The people of Glasgow have certainly taken the Commonwealth Games to heart, but with this support comes a desire to make the Games the best that they can be and to ensure the best legacy for the people of Glasgow. Declaring the 2014 Commonwealth Games to be tobacco-free will play a major part in meeting both of these goals and enable Scotland to once again play a leading role in addressing the harm caused by tobacco.”
ASH Scotland has recently sent a letter to the Games Organising Committee urging them to make the Games 100% tobacco free, which has garnered support from over 40 health organisations in European and Commonwealth countries, including: African Tobacco Control Alliance, European Network for Smoking and Tobacco Prevention, International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), Union for International Cancer Control, and, World Heart Federation.
