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Dow India Commits To Tobacco-Free Worksites In India


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Signs Statement of Commitment to ‘Workplace Wellness Initiative’ as Part of the 14th World Conference on Tobacco or Health

Mumbai, India - Dow Chemical International Pvt. Ltd. (Dow India) today signed a statement of commitment towards the “Workplace Wellness Initiative: Promoting Smoke-Free Workplaces in India” as part of the 14th World Conference on Tobacco or Health (WCTOH) held in Mumbai today, March 9, 2009. Organized by the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) and HRIDAY, in collaboration with World Economic Forum and American Cancer Society, the commitment acknowledges the harmful effects of tobacco and the benefits of a smoke-free environment such as reduced incidences of sickness, injuries and fire damage.

Under the commitment, Dow India reiterates its promise to conform to the Government of India’s smoke–free workplaces law which came into effect on October 2, 2008, aimed at creating a safer environment for employees. The Company will also support employee tobacco cessation efforts by providing education materials, activities, and cessation services at the workplace.

All Dow India offices already operate a smoke-free environment in accordance with the Company’s global smoke-free policy which states that to support employees and contractors to quit tobacco and remain tobacco-free, all Dow buildings and meetings are smoke-free. This is part of the company’s Environment, Health and Safety (EH&S) initiatives across all its locations. This policy is supplemented by providing employees with a wide range of tools and resources on quitting smoking which are available to all employees through the company’s Intranet. Commitment to this program in India reinforces Dow’s continued support and concern towards employee health.

“Dow India is committed to creating a healthy and safe workplace for its employees and engages the support of PHFI and HRIDAY to spread the message and benefits of a tobacco free environment. Diseases related to tobacco consumption continue to rise and it is predicted that by the year 2020 tobacco use alone will account for 13% of all deaths in India”, said Dr. Ashish Mishra, Health Director, Dow India. “While Dow already supports tobacco-free environments in all our offices, it is encouraging to see that other companies and governments are now taking decisive action to protect employees from this proven hazard. Dow India will continue to initiate programs and organize cessation efforts for its employees to support overcoming this habit.”

Some of the initiatives already implemented by Dow India in support of a smoke-free environment are:

* All Dow India facilities and premises are completely smoke-free with no areas designated for tobacco consumption
* Prominent display of “no smoking” sign boards at conspicuous places at the workplace, in accordance with the Government of India directive
* Non-availability of ashtrays, lighters, matchsticks and other material that facilitate smoking or tobacco consumption in any form

About Dow India

Dow Chemical International Private Limited (Dow India) is committed to consistent growth through its expertise as a science and technology leader, its experience as a leading chemical company, and its engagement with the communities in which it operates. With around 1000 employees, Dow India has established three Centers of Excellence in India in the areas of engineering (Chennai), research & development (Pune) and transactional services and expertise (Mumbai) as well as a manufacturing site and a variety of commercial offices. As a responsible corporate citizen, Dow India provides free artificial limbs and technology development for the ‘Jaipur Foot’ initiative; built homes through the ‘Habitat for Humanity’ Jimmy Carter Work Project, and is actively working in collaboration with the Byrraju and Anarde Foundation to supply clean drinking water to villages in India.

About Dow

With annual sales of $58 billion and 46,000 employees worldwide, Dow is a diversified chemical company that combines the power of science and technology with the “Human Element” to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. The Company delivers a broad range of products and services to customers in around 160 countries, connecting chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products. References to “Dow” or the “Company” mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted.



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