The SEA Games Initiative (SEAGI) advocated for a smoke free 2009 SEA Games, held in the Lao PDR, 9-18 December; specifically free of tobacco promotion, sponsorship, advertising, and smoking in public sporting venues and related services. The broad influence and media interest associated with the Games, both within the Lao PDR and internationally, provided a tremendous opportunity to raise awareness of the harmful effects of tobacco use, tobacco control legislation and an opportunity to commence implementation and compliance of the Lao Governments then recently approved tobacco control legislation.
Donors: Bloomberg Philanthropies, International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
Amount: $151,683 USD
Start: 1 August 2009
Finish: 31 March 2010
Location: Vientiane Capital
Beneficiaries:
Direct: Athletes, Spectators, Officials of the SEA Games
Indirect: Televised event viewers, nation-wide
Main Objectives:
Facilitate public compliance to the tobacco control law at SEA Games venues and related services – transportation, workplaces, restaurants, & businesses. Raise awareness of the tobacco control law and the harmful effects of tobacco use. Build Government/key partner(s) awareness and capacity to implement the tobacco control law.Main Activities:
- Assert the rights of the athletes and attending general public in having complete protection of their health during their time in Vientiane city;
- Ensure that all venues (both training and competition venues) to be used in the 2009 SEA Games are smoke-free and will not allow the sale and promotion of tobacco products in any form; and
- Ensure that all public outdoor venues, including spectator arenas, the athletes’ quarters, restaurants, as well as all forms of transport at sites where events occur will be declared smoke-free areas.
- Produce mass media campaigns across TV, Radio and Print to raise awareness of the general public to the tobacco control law.
