The Philippines health department has banned smoking within a 50 meter radius of the venues of the 23rd Southeast Asian games.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque said 27 medical response teams would be deployed in all venues to enforce the ban at the biennial meet beginning Sunday.Duque said the ban is part of the government's policy to ensure the health and safety of the athletes as well as of the spectators.
'Participants, officials and spectators who would like to smoke would be escorted out of the venues,' he said.
More than 7,000 athletes from 11 Southeast Asian countries are expected to participate in the games, which will be held in Manila and other key cities.
(IANS)
