Logo 'Westin Hotels and Resorts'

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. | Westin Hotels & Resorts has teamed with celebrity jewelry designer Mauri Pioppo to create a talisman necklace in support of smoke-free living. The Renewal Talisman will raise awareness of the benefits of going smoke-free, especially for women and girls, and provide a tangible way for women to share their support for a smoke-free lifestyle with their loved ones. Westin created the piece to celebrate its own commitment to breathing free, made in December 2005 when it announced it would become the first major hotel chain in North America to go smoke-free.

While women are embracing healthy trends in increasing numbers, dependence on cigarettes remains a dirty little secret for an alarming number of women and girls. The American Legacy Foundation works to raise awareness about the urgency of the crisis:

  • In 2004, nearly one in five American women smoked.
  • Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women.
  • 22 percent of high school girls are current smokers.
  • The majority of female smokers want to quit smoking. Support from family and friends can improve a smoker's odds of quitting up to 50 percent.
  • Women rate the importance of support higher than men. 54 percent of women who attempt to quit smoking rely on social support from friends and family.

The Renewal Talisman spreads the message that women can help each other to live smoke-free by sharing their support for the cause and for each other.

Mauri Pioppo is a renowned jewelry designer, yoga instructor and former smoker whose pieces have been worn by some of the world's most glamorous women, including Eva Longoria, Debra Messing and Sheryl Crow. Her latest creation, which will be available exclusively at Westin.com, supports the wearer's commitment to personal renewal and to living smoke-free. The concept of personal renewal is about improving the body, mind and spirit, and is at the center of all of Westin's activities, from its signature White Tea scent to its Heavenly Bed.

As with its pioneering smoke-free decision, Westin's motivation for creating the Renewal Talisman is to make the health of its associates and guests its top priority. "The wonderful thing about the talisman is that it supports our Renewal platform and breathing free outside our hotels' walls," observed Sue Brush, Senior Vice President at Westin. "I wear the talisman to show my support for the many women in my life who have quit smoking and are choosing a healthier life every day."

Mauri's vision for the talisman artfully underscores the concept of smoke-free and the Westin brand's Renewal experience. The piece consists of two discs crafted from sterling silver, engraved with the words 'Breathe' and 'Free.' The piece also incorporates quartz crystal and blue topaz, which promote energy and consciousness, respectively. Mauri also created a men's version of the talisman, which replaces the silver chain with leather.

"My goal is to encourage people wearing the talisman to feel supported in their commitment to being at their personal bests. Breathing is at the center of many healthy practices, such as meditation, and is a natural expression of our life and health. I've quit smoking successfully myself--it is all about supporting yourself and incorporating mindful actions--rituals--into your life," Mauri explains.

Mauri has dedicated her art to giving back and kick-started the trend of "cause jewelry" with her love letters pieces in 2002. Her mission is to help people become more conscious of their power to effect positive change. All of the proceeds from the Renewal Talisman will benefit the American Legacy Foundation.

"We salute Westin's efforts to empower both men and women to support each others' choices for a smoke-free lifestyle," said Cheryl Healton, Dr. P.H., President and CEO of the American Legacy Foundation. "The Renewal Talisman is a powerful emblem of the benefits of going smoke-free."

The Renewal Talisman will be available starting this month exclusively at www.westin.com. The women's version will be available for $145.00 and the men's version will retail for $125.00. For more information on Mauri Pioppo, visit .

Westin Hotels & Resorts, with 121 hotels and resorts in 31 countries and territories, is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 850 properties in more than 95 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood(R) Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis(R), The Luxury Collection(R), Sheraton(R), Westin(R), Four Points(R) by Sheraton, W(R), Le Meridien(R) and the recently announced Aloft(SM). Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit .

The American Legacy Foundation(R) is dedicated to building a world where young people reject tobacco and anyone can quit. Located in Washington, D.C., the foundation develops programs that address the health effects of tobacco use through grants, technical assistance and training, youth activism, strategic partnerships, counter-marketing and grassroots marketing campaigns, research, public relations, and outreach to populations disproportionately affected by the toll of tobacco. The foundation's national programs include Circle of Friends(R), Great Start(R), a Priority Populations Initiative, Streetheory(R) and truth(R). The American Legacy Foundation was created as a result of the November 1998 Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) reached between attorneys general from 46 states, five US territories, and the tobacco industry. Visit .

Note: This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities regulations. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and involve risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated at the time the forward-looking statements are made. These risks and uncertainties are presented in detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although we believe the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that our expectations will be attained or that results and events will not materially differ. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Amy Gaiser
+1 212-419-3370
Starwood