Opening of Place of first contact in Mickiewiczova Hospital (source: Courtesy of Slovak Foundation of Silvia Gašparovičová)
The Fight against Domestic Violence is one of five key focus areas Philip Morris Slovakia s.r.o. contributes to. “Life without Violence,” a project run by the Slovak Foundation of Silvia Gašparovičová, offers comprehensive problem solving and helps victims of domestic and social violence in Slovakia.
Who we are
Philip Morris Slovakia s.r.o. is one of the affiliates operated by Philip Morris International, an international tobacco company with its operations center in Lausanne, Switzerland. Worldwide we employ more than 75,000 employees and sell our products in over 160 countries. Our strong and most diverse brand portfolio and our financial results moved us to the leadership position in the market. The view over our success doesn’t end here; we do not live in isolation and therefore support initiatives in local communities, where our people live and work.
Responsible business
We perceive and understand responsibility in a wider context; we are listening to society and are doing business in a way that seeks to respond to its concerns. We are seeking comprehensive and effective industry regulation which will meet society’s expectations and those of the public health community while allowing us to operate in a stable business environment. Also, we support a clear and consistent public health message about smoking, disease and addiction caused by our products. We work with governments and other stakeholders to implement a comprehensive, consistent and cohesive regulatory framework that applies to all tobacco product categories, and is based on the principle of harm reduction. Our marketing is designed to encourage adult smokers to choose our brands, while respecting laws and regulations in markets where we do business. We don’t want kids to smoke and we are working with others, including retailers to support youth smoking prevention programs, particularly youth access prevention.
Cooperation with stakeholders
Philip Morris International and its affiliates have a strong tradition of investing in the community where we live and do business. Globally, our charity contributions focus on five areas: hunger and extreme poverty, education, environmental sustainability and living conditions in rural communities, disaster relief and domestic violence. However, instead of allocating our grants centrally, we make decisions at the local level and work with local charities that understand the problems and know what is needed to help.
“Life without violence”
In 2006, representatives of the Slovak Foundation of Silvia Gašparovičová introduced their ambition to engage in solving the issue of domestic violence in Slovakia and presented a specific, long-term action plan. The concept of the project met our expectations and was fully in line with our contribution strategy objectives.
Mrs. Silvia Gašparovičová, President of the Foundation, built on her personal experience gained while meeting both victims of violence themselves and organizations helping those affected. From the position of Slovakia’s First Lady, Mrs. Silvia Gašparovičová was inspired by other international organizations she met during her business trips abroad, including Telefono Rosa in Italy and Bíly kruh bezpečí in the Czech Republic.
Within the scope of the project, help lines were launched and the Crisis and Educational centre in western Slovakia was opened:
1. 24-hour Help line 033/6473131, a telephone contact serving victims of violence. It provides basic advice, moral and psychological support.
2. Place of first contact in the premises of Mickiewiczova Hospital, with a telephone number for Bratislava clients 02/52442211 offering personal consultancy services with experts upon agreement.
3. Crisis centre providing temporary accommodation to victims of domestic and social violence up to 15 people.
4. Educational centre providing education, consultancy and training seminars to help clients get back to normal life.
