In order to promote good health and to follow their “smoking-free Games” strategy, the Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee has placed a “No smoking” sign in the Olympic Park on March 30th. With the support of the World Health Organization (WHO), Sochi will be the twelfth consecutive Olympic Games to be free of cigarette smoke. More than 155,000 athletes, sports delegation representatives and volunteers will be protected every day by this policy.
It was considered a ceremonious event when the head of the WHO representative office in Russia, Mr. Luigi Migliorini personally placed the official sign when he was visiting the Olympic venues, still under construction. He also attended a seminar on sustainable development entitled “Managing tobacco denial and the creation of smoke free medical institutions,” a discussion of the most effective actions and methods to deter smoking during the upcoming Games.
Smoking will be prohibited at all Olympic and Paralympic venues. There will be designated smoking areas are strategically placed outside the territory so as not to discomfort non-smoking guests and participants. Smoking will also be banned in all bars and restaurants in Olympic Park. No tobacco will be sold in any of the Olympic venues, and the Organizing Committee’s no-smoking policy will be broadcast throughout the events.
During his seminar, WHO representative Migliorini emphasized his commitment to the smoking-ban and praised the significant progress in Sochi’s anti-smoking legislation, specifically citing the improvements at medical institutions in the Krasnodar region.
