GUANGZHOU, China – October 28, 2009 – The 16th Asian Games (www.gz2010.cn/en), part of the worldwide Olympic movement and governed by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) will be “going smokeless” with firm prohibitions on the sale of tobacco products and tobacco sponsorship of the Games.

The Asian Games are the second largest sports event in the world after the Summer Olympic Games.

Governed by the Olympic Council of Asia, The 16th Asian Games follows all mandates of the International Olympic Committee in which Games’ organizers are prohibited from accepting sponsorship of the Games by tobacco manufactures nor allowing the sale of cigarettes or tobacco products at any athletic venue.

“Preparations of smoking control for The 16th Asian Games are in full swing in the host city of Guangzhou” said Mr. Hu Bingjie, Deputy Director of the Medical Services Department of the Guangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee (GAGOC) and Mr. Zhao Hong, Director of the Office of the Guangzhou Patriotic Health Campaign Committee (GPHCC).

In accordance with Framework Convention on Tobacco Control of the World Health Organization (WHO) and Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games City Action & Games-time Operation Plan issued by the General Office of Guangzhou Municipal Government, the Medical Services Department of GAGOC and the Office of the GPHCC have formulated General Policies on Smoking Control at Venues of The 16th Asian Games and Smoking Control Plan of Guangzhou for the 2010 Asian Games respectively, specifying tasks of Games-time smoking control at venues and across the city, which marks the work of smoking control for the Games has officially kicked off.

Mr. Hu said, “according to General Policies on Smoking Control at Venues of the 16th Asian Games, smoking, sale of tobacco products and tobacco sponsorship and promotion in any form will be prohibited in the following areas:

The indoor area of designated hospitals;

The indoor area of Opening & Closing Ceremonies venues; competition venues and training venues of the Games (excluding designated outdoor smoking areas);

The indoor area of accommodations, reception and staff rest areas and work venues such as offices and conference rooms, as well as restaurants, coffee pubs, pubs, tea houses, cinemas, karaoke bars, dance floors, corridors, lifts and toilets;

The indoor area of non-competition venues such as media centers, card making centers, youth camps and arrival & departure service venues and

Inside of any transportation vehicle operated by Games’ organizers.”

In addition, smoke-free rooms or floors will be set up at The Garden Hotel, the Headquarters Hotel of The 16th Asian Games, as well as all Official Hotels and Designated Hotels of the Games.

Mr. Zhao emphasized Guangzhou’s determination to enforce the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and promote a healthy way of life, adding that “a number of smoke-free government bodies, hospitals, educational institutions, hotels, restaurants and public transport vehicles will be set up across the city.”

Guangzhou’s efforts on smoking controls are aimed at creating a safe, clean and healthy environment for the upcoming Asian Games.

About The 16th Asian Games

The 16th Asian Games (www.gz2010.cn/en) is approved and governed by the Olympic Council of Asia and will be held in “Flower City” of Guangzhou from November 12 – 27, 2010.  More than 14,000 athletes, trainers and coaches from 45 countries and regions will compete in 42 sports. More than 10,000 accredited and non-accredited worldwide media are anticipated to cover the Games with more than three million spectators expected to attend.

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