Tan Sri Tony Fernandes (fifth from right) at the launch of the AirAsia No Smoking and Dengue Awareness Campaign at RedQ. -Bernama
SEPANG (Bernama): AirAsia has ceased the sale of duty-free cigarettes on board as well as on its website with immediate effect, says AirAsia Group chief executive officer Tony Fernandes.
Speaking at the launch of the AirAsia No Smoking and Dengue Awareness Campaign at RedQ here on Monday (Nov 11), he said the airline has implemented a company wide smoke-and vape-free environment at 120 offices and stations in the Asia-Pacific region.
He added that the airline's headquarters is now a 100% smoke-free building.
Speaking at a press conference after the launch, Fernandes said tobacco sales generated RM9 million in annual revenue for the AirAsia group.
"AirAsia is also looking at stopping the sales of other products such as alcohol. It is going to be a bit tricky, but we are not rushing it. There is no time frame for that, ” he said.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said AirAsia is the first airline in the country to implement such policies.
Speaking at the event, he said the ministry will present the Blue Ribbon Campaign's Outstanding Achievement Award to Fernandes for AirAsia's anti-smoking campaign during the campaign's awards presentation ceremony on Nov 22.
According to Dr Dzulkefly, some 23 percent of Malaysians are smokers and about 20,000 deaths due to smoking-related diseases are recorded annually. - Bernama
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