Smoke Free Warwickshire News

SMOKERS could soon be forced out into the cold if the Smoke Free Warwickshire Alliance gets its way.

The Alliance - a franchise holder of the National Clean Air Award is offering rewards to businesses, bars and restaurants in south Warwickshire who completely ban smoking in their premises.

The award is designed to help protect staff and visitors from the harmful effects of second hand smoke. Gold certificates will be awarded to premises that are completely smoke free. Silver awards are available for premises where smoking is restricted to designated areas or external smoking shelters.

The initiative has been launched by the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation. It is the first countrywide scheme to reward organisations for implementing an effective no smoking policy.

According to the Smoke Free Alliance, in just five minutes of breathing second hand smoke the main artery of the heart stiffens and the heart has to work harder to pump blood. After 20 minutes, blood starts to clot at the same rate as a smoker with a 20 day habit.

Tobacco control coordinator Claire Ford said: “We want to encourage all organisations in Warwickshire to achieve this award. Applying for the award is easy, with the website guiding organisations through the process, and local support is available if organisations are unable to access the website.” The first 100 certificates will be free of charge. For more information call the Alliance on 0800 0852917

Midweek Herald
26th October 2004

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