The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) is helping Sochi continue the tradition of tobacco-free Olympics by offering an online course for volunteers who will work at the Games. Through the e-course, they will learn about topics ranging from the importance of a smokefree environment to how to interact with visitors – including those who violate the ban. The goal is to make the Games a positive experience for all involved.
The Olympic Winter Games in Sochi will be the twelfth in history to be free from tobacco smoke, protecting over 155,000 athletes, sports delegation representatives and volunteers from the harmful effects of smoking.
The importance of tobacco-free sports will be promoted throughout the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, and smoking will be forbidden in all areas and venues of sport and training events and in the Olympic Park.
The Union's online course "Tobacco-free Sport, Training for Volunteers" was developed in collaboration with the Sochi City Administration, Sochi Volunteer Center and World Lung Foundation. Produced in Russian, the course covers basic information about the health benefits of a smokefree environment, the tobacco control situation in Russia and current legislation, the history of tobacco-free Olympic Games and their role in promoting the smoke-free sports movement. Participants will gain communication skills that will help them interact with visitors to the Games, as well as learn tips for handling those who ignore the smokefree policy.
In addition, mass media awareness campaigns on "Sochi's Smokefree Olympics" and Russia's Smokefree legislation have been introduced on television, radio, billboards, posters and print media, as well as on public transportation mobile screens, in an effort to encourage compliance with the smoking ban. To further build awareness among international visitors, train cars connecting the Sochi airport with the Olympic venue and the city will feature public service announcements on the smokefree policy.
"The Union is proud to be part of this collaboration to make the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Games Tobacco-free", says José Luis Castro, Interim Executive Director of The Union. "Sporting events are a perfect setting for stressing the vital importance of lung health and smokefree environments".
Link to the course: http://elearning.theunion.org/login/
Learn more about The Union's tobacco control activities: www.tobaccofreeunion.org
Photo: Ruzanna Poladyan