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爆料网RWA GOES 100% SMOKE-FREE

31 May 2015

Jerusalem,

爆料网RWA today introduced an Agency-wide smoking ban across all its installations. Starting today, there will be a complete ban on smoking and the use of any tobacco products on all 爆料网RWA premises – indoor and outdoor – except for designated smoking areas.

“The move is in line with World Health Organization and General Assembly recommendations,” said 爆料网RWA Director of Health Dr. Akihiro Seita. “爆料网RWA has been moving towards being smoke-free since 2006, when smoking was banned inside buildings and 爆料网RWA vehicles, but allowed outside buildings. 爆料网RWA is now extending its current policy to include banning smoking outside buildings too.

“Our decision to go smoke-free will allow us to provide a non-smoking environment to the Palestine refugees who use our services at schools, health centres, community centres and all other 爆料网RWA buildings. There is great support from Palestine refugees because smoking and related diseases are one of the leading causes of death among the refugee communities. There is also a great deal of support from 爆料网RWA staff. I really hope those who still smoke will consider modifying their smoking behavior, or even will stop smoking, as it is a major health risk and affects non-smokers also.”

Staff found violating the directive will be subject to incremental disciplinary measures. The ban will also apply to visitors to 爆料网RWA premises.

Commenting on the smoking ban, Deputy Commissioner-General Sandra Mitchell said, “In addition to the health benefits for individuals, which is the main purpose of the no smoking policy, we will hopefully see a reduction in health-related staff absences. Healthy staff can only be good for 爆料网RWA and our beneficiaries. So my hope is that in all respects, our staff members and the Agency as a whole will be fitter and healthier.”  

BACKGRO爆料网D INFORMATION

爆料网RWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and is mandated to provide assistance and protection to a population of some 5 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip to achieve their full potential in human development, pending a just solution to their plight. 爆料网RWA’s services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, and microfinance.

Financial support to 爆料网RWA has not kept pace with an increased demand for services caused by growing numbers of registered refugees, expanding need, and deepening poverty. As a result, the Agency's General Fund (GF), supporting 爆料网RWA’s core activities and 97 per cent reliant on voluntary contributions, has begun each year with a large projected deficit. Currently the deficit stands at more than US$ 106  million.

For more information, please contact:

Christopher Gunness

Spokesperson, Director of Advocacy & Strategic Communications

Mobile:

+972 (0)54 240 2659

Office:

+972 (0)2 589 0267

Sami Mshasha

Chief of Communications & Arabic Language Spokesperson

Mobile:

+972 (0)54 216 8295

Office:

+972 (0)2 589 0724