Note: World Lung Foundation united with The Union North America. From January 2016, the combined organization is known as “Vital Strategies.”
(Sochi, Russia and New York, USA) ––Today, World Lung Foundation (WLF) urged the Sochi Olympic organizers to enforce regulations that prohibit smoking at all Olympic venues and restrict smoking in the Olympic Village. The 2014 Olympic Winter Games are the first-ever international games held in Russia following the passage of landmark smoke-free legislation in 2013.
During the Games in Sochi, smoking will be forbidden at all Olympic venues with only a few outside smoking areas. Smoking in the bars and restaurants at the Olympic Park will also be prohibited, and no tobacco will be sold or advertised at any Olympic venue.
Successful enforcement of these policies will help the Olympic host city to provide a best practice example for the nationwide implementation of Russia’s smoke-free laws. A series of measures have already been taken to ensure that more than 155,000 athletes, staff and visitors will be protected from the harms of secondhand smoke. More than 2,000 volunteers have been trained by the Organizing Committees and the City of Sochi. No-smoking signage has been designed and placed at all venues and on event programs.
World Lung Foundation provided technical support for two informational campaigns to publicize the harms of tobacco and promote the smoke-free policy. Both have been running on television, radio, billboards, posters, in print and on public transportation mobile screens in Sochi since September. Partners such as the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) have been instrumental in training and implementing the regulations.
“The Winter Olympic Games are a showcase for human strength, spirit and fitness; they also provide an international stage for one of Russia’s most important public health policies in decades,” said Peter Baldini, Chief Executive Officer, World Lung Foundation. “By effectively protecting visitors, staff and athletes from harmful secondhand smoke, Russia can signal it is serious about reducing tobacco deaths, which kill about 400,000 Russians every year. Increasing awareness and compliance with smoke-free laws would be a fitting legacy for the Games. We call for vigilance and rapid enforcement of the rules prohibiting smoking throughout the city and the Olympic venues.”
The massive toll of smoking in Russia
According to The Tobacco Atlas, 58.6 percent of males and nearly 24 percent of females smoke cigarettes in Russia. Prevalence among youth is lower; 27 percent of male students aged 13-15 and 24 percent of female students aged 13-15 identify as current smokers. A significant proportion of youth (over 76% percent) are exposed to secondhand smoke in the home. Tobacco is responsible for 28 percent of male deaths and four percent of female deaths in Russia.