National Clean Air Award for the Malt Shovel in Gaydon

The Malt Shovel Public House in Gaydon has achieved the Sliver standard of National Clean Air Award for protecting both staff and customers from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.  

The Malt Shovel has achieved the award in recognition of implementing an effective smoke free policy ahead of legislation, which will come into effect in the summer of 2007, which means that workplaces and public places will be smoke free. 

The Chairman of Stratford-on-Avon District Council, Cllr Tony Dixon will be presenting the National Clean Air Award to Richard and Debbi Morisot at The Malt Shovel in Gaydon on Friday 19 May at 11am.  

The National Clean Air Awards is a Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation Initiative and is the first UK wide scheme that rewards organisations that implement an effective workplace no-smoking policy.   

The award is about protecting staff and visitors to the organisation from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.  In just 5 minutes of breathing second-hand smoke, the main artery of the heart, the aorta, stiffens and the heart has to work harder to pump blood.  After 20 minutes exposure, the blood starts to 'clog' at the same rate as a 20-a-day smoker.  In time, breathing in other people's cigarette smoke risk of a heart attack or stroke.  

In Warwickshire around 30,000 people are exposed to second-hand smoke in the workplace.  People working in the hospitality industry (pubs, bars and restaurants) are particularly at risk.  

The award can be given at two different levels.  The Gold award is awarded to organisations that have made their premises and grounds completely smoke-free.  The Silver award is given to organisations where smoking is restricted external smoking areas to eliminate the risk of passive smoking.  

To find out more about the award go to http://www.cleanairaward.org.uk/ or phone 0800 0852917.  

Stratford-on-Avon District Council is a member of Smoke Free Warwickshire who are the franchise holders of the National Clean Air Award on behalf of the Warwickshire Primary Care Trusts, and are keen to encourage any company or organisation, large or small, who has implemented or is planning to implement a no-smoking policy to apply.  

The introduction of a smoke free policy is a good opportunity for smokers who were thinking of stopping anyway to give up for good.  The Stop Smoking Service in Warwickshire operates through all the doctors' surgeries, providing intensive support and nicotine replacement therapy on.  Smokers can also get free help and advice on stopping smoking by calling the NHS Smoking Helpline on 0800 169 0 169