We support restrictions on smoking in indoor public places

We believe that governments, employers, the hospitality industry, the tobacco industry, consumers and others can work together on practical initiatives. These include providing separate smoking and non-smoking areas and ventilation to reduce involuntary exposure to second-hand smoke.

That’s why we support restrictions on smoking in indoor public places including offices, restaurants and bars.

Some countries have adopted strong measures, banning all indoor smoking in workplaces and in enclosed public places, and a small number have also banned smoking in some outdoor public areas.

We believe people should not smoke around children, including outdoor areas primarily intended for them. Nonetheless, we believe general restrictions on public place smoking in outdoor areas go too far.

Practical initiatives

We believe that governments, employers, the hospitality industry, the tobacco industry, consumers and others can work together on practical initiatives. These include providing separate smoking and non-smoking areas and ventilation to reduce involuntary exposure to second-hand smoke.

Air filtration systems can also make a room more comfortable. Although they cannot completely remove the smoke, they do offer a relatively inexpensive alternative where built-in fresh air ventilation systems are less feasible, perhaps because of the size and complexity of a building.

British American Tobacco Middle East also supports the hospitality industry to accommodate all of their customers in restaurants, convention centres, cafes, bars, clubs and hotels, by assisting with technical analysis of ventilation and owners allocating flexible smoking and non-smoking areas. We also support ways to improve consumer education about butt littering.