This initiative is launched with the Canarian Lung Cancer Foundation (FCCP) to promote health and well-being
Promote healthier environments for attendees, employees and exhibitors. That is the objective of Infecar, Feria de Gran Canaria, which from this moment is positioned as a Tobacco-Free Space, being the first fairground to do so in the archipelago and a reference in this aspect at a national level.
The president of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, Antonio Morales; the founder and president of the Canarian Lung Cancer Foundation (FCCP) and head of Oncology of the Complejo Hospitalario Universitario Insular Materno Infantil (CHUIMI), Delvys Rodríguez; the founder and director of the FCCP, Wendy López-Trejo; the Minister of Economic Development, Industry, Commerce and Crafts of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, Minerva Alonso; and the general director of Infecar, Natalia Santana, presented this Tuesday, May 28, this initiative that works on the transformation of public places, work centers and representative enclaves of cities into Tobacco-Free Spaces.
“In Spain, fairgrounds are moving towards stricter policies to become completely tobacco-free zones, at least during certain events or in significant parts of their facilities,” said Morales, who also pointed out that tobacco “ It is the cause of death of more than 50.000 people a year and the cause of 82% of lung cancers. It is undeniable that it has direct consequences on the health of those who consume it actively and passively and, it is our duty, to work to contribute to more and more people who stop smoking.
Thus, with the help of the Canarian Lung Cancer Foundation, Infecar becomes the first fairground to become a Tobacco-Free Space (ELT), which in practice means that smoking will not be recommended in the areas exterior of the premises; Information signs will be indicated in these areas and in the semi-covered areas that this is a tobacco-free space and the benefits of smoking cessation will be promoted.
In addition to all this, as Antonio Morales has indicated, in the fairs and events of a more social nature, "Infecar and the FCCP will carry out reinforcement campaigns with prevention and health promotion workshops, in addition to advancing hand in hand with their own workers, offering personalized support for those who want to quit smoking.”
To make Infecar's membership as a Tobacco-Free Space known to citizens, we have worked on an awareness campaign whose concept is: Tobacco-free spaces, spaces full of life. “We all know that smoking seriously damages our health, but it seems that sometimes we forget that it is also harmful to those around us. Our commitment as a public entity is to work to create a healthier, more respectful, cleaner and safer environment,” said Morales.
The Canarian Lung Cancer Foundation (FCCP)
The Canarian Lung Cancer Foundation is a non-profit entity, its mission is to promote oncological research in the Canary Islands, improve the quality of life of people diagnosed with lung cancer, actively fight against smoking and raise awareness in society about this sickness.
As a Foundation, “our duty is to support those who want to quit smoking and those around them, and for this, these joint work initiatives with highly relevant institutions, such as Infecar, are essential and represent an opportunity to promote smoking cessation.” , assured Delvys Rodríguez.
Since its inception, the FCCP has been developing and promoting important initiatives and projects for prevention and awareness about the effects of smoking, especially among young people and the smoking population. “The challenge we have ahead of us is to ensure that young people do not start smoking. The Canary Islands are one of the first three autonomous communities in Spain in which people start smoking at an earlier age and vaping is a real threat to health,” said Wendy López-Trejo.
