KHANA, a linking organization of the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, has gone smoke-free, the organization has confirmed.
The civil society organization integrated a smoke-free workplace policy, which was endorsed by KHANA’s board in November (2011). The smoke-free workplace policy came into effect from January 1, this year (2012).
Smoking harms the health of smokers and those around them. Smokers are at far higher risks of strokes, heart attacks and other cardiovascular diseases; cancers of the lungs, mouth, larynx, bladder, pancreas, kidneys and stomach; emphysema, bronchitis, and tuberculosis. These diseases cause serious illness, disability and premature death. Tobacco causes 4 million deaths worldwide each year, and the numbers are rising fast.
In Cambodia, there is no law prohibiting smoking in public spaces, or enclosed public buildings. Smoking in the public places and workplaces is still legal in Cambodia, although the smoke-free policy is respectively established by several organizations and government institutions. The policy just helps active smokers reduce smoking and protect non-smokers from health damage caused by active smokers.
“It is essential to see the legislative body of Cambodia debating the Smoke-Free Law that bans smoking in all enclosed workplaces and public space and put violators in accountability before the law,” said a former human rights activist, “The policy is just a commitment and it differs from the law passed by the National Assembly.”
Mr. Kim Rattana, Chief of the Executive Director Office, said KHANA’s smoke-free workplace policy applies not only to all KHANA staff but also to all visitors to KHANA’s closed building. “KHANA has not separated this policy from its operation and staff manual,” he said.
The policy was communicated with KHANA staff during its monthly staff meeting and memorandum sent to all staff by KHANA Executive Director. Clear smoke-free signs are to be communicated to all visitors, partners and beneficiaries who approach KHANA’s closed building and KHANA’s vehicles.
Direct and indirect costs from smoking include shorter life expectancy, more employee absenteeism, decreased productivity on-the-job, increased early retirement due to ill health, higher annual health-care costs for smokers and higher health insurance costs, higher life insurance premiums, higher maintenance and cleaning costs, higher risk of fire damage, explosions and other accidents related to smoking, and higher fire insurance premiums.
KHANA has been working with thirty-seven implementing partners and two strategic partners and it is crucial that all partners involve in reducing direct and indirect costs from smoking by respectively developing a smoke-free workplace policy, prohibiting employees and visitors from smoking in the closed buildings and in vehicles of the organizations. The sign must be clearly seen and telling all employees and visitors that it is a smoke-free building and/or a smoke-free vehicle.
Involvement of all beneficiaries to combat smoking in the public space and the closed buildings is another step that would be considered.
“I cannot say how many people living with HIV are smokers but many actively smoke,” said Keo Chen, a National Coordinator of CPN+.
Smoking puts the life of people living with HIV in higher risks. “The study should be made among employees and beneficiaries who are actively smoking. The study should include medical costs and health-related deaths from smoking,” said an NGO staff member who asked not to be named.
“Smokers still deserve their right as to smoke, but the exercise of their rights should be balanced with their responsibility. It means they should not harm others, especially in the closed building and in the crowed public spaces. People living with HIV should be advised to give up smoking. ” said a former human rights practitioner.