National Clean Air Award – Six For Silver

Stratford-on-Avon District Council has been presented with the National Clean Air Award for all six of its offices around the district. This includes Elizabeth House in the centre of Stratford-upon-Avon. The Council has received this award in recognition of its efforts to protect its staff and visitors from the damaging effects of second-hand smoke. The other five offices of the District Council are Winton House, The Grange at Southam, Globe House at Alcester, Shipston area office, and the Depot.

The National Clean Air Award is a Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation Initiative. The foundation was named after the comedian Roy Castle who died of cancer, despite the fact that he did not smoke. He attributed his cancer to the years of work he did in smoke filled pubs.

Second-hand smoke is a serious danger to health, with over 30,000 people in Warwickshire being exposed to second-hand smoke in their places of work. Exposure to second-hand smoke causes around 12,000 deaths per year in the UK.

The National Clean Air Award is the first nationwide scheme that rewards employers that implement effective workplace no-smoking policies by giving them a prestigious and nationally recognised award. The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation also provides employers with guidance to help them get their policy right.

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 to designated external smoking areas to eliminate the risk of passive smoking.

To find out more about the award, go to www.cleanairaward.org.uk, or phone 0800 085 2917

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. The District Council is keen to set a good example to other organisations, and achieve a clean work environment before new legislation in 2007, which states that all work places must be smoke free.

The introduction of Stratford-on-Avon District Council's policy is also a good opportunity for smokers who have been looking to give up. The Stop Smoking Service in Warwickshire operates through all doctors' surgeries, providing support and nicotine replacement therapy on prescription. Smokers can also get free help and advice from the NHS Smoking Helpline on 0800 169 0 169.