Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is often a source of annoyance to non-smokers and smokers alike and is considered by some public health authorities to be a health concern.
We think a sense of proportion needs to be maintained. For example, while outright public and workplace smoking bans may meet the needs of some non-smokers they prejudice the rights of smokers to consume a legal product and, in our view, are generally unnecessary. There are solutions to the problem of ETS that allow the accommodation of smokers and non-smokers.
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Our role is to make clear our views on this issue, to suggest solutions that accommodate smokers and non-smokers and call for regulations that are soundly based.
We will: | - Promote sensible public and workplace smoking arrangements with a range of stakeholders, including governments and building managers;
- Encourage programmes that reduce environmental tobacco smoke;
- Encourage our Group companies to have effective smoking policies in place.
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We can work together with those who manage buildings where our products are consumed to help them develop effective accommodation policies and practices.
For our part, we will: | - Work with them to explore solutions that work best in their environment.
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We see it as the role of governments and society to take the lead in approaching public smoking in a balanced and proportionate way, based on sound scientific evidence, whilst it is the role of consumers to be courteous and considerate when smoking in public places.
We will contribute by: | - Supporting the development of programmes and policies that accommodate the needs of smokers and non-smokers in public places.
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