Home Farm Trust in Bidford has been awarded the Silver Standard of National Clean Air Award for protecting both staff and customers from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.
HFT is a centre which supports people with learning disabilities and has achieved the award in recognition of implementing an effective smoke free policy ahead of legislation which comes into effect on Sunday 1 July 2007, when workplaces and public places will be smoke free.
HFT has also achieved the Young at Heart Heartbeat Award which is awarded to catering establishments who demonstrated good standards of food hygiene, has a smoke free environment and cater for the special dietary needs of older people and vulnerable groups.
On Monday 5 March at 2pm Councillor Mike Brain, Chairman of Stratford-on-Avon District Council will be presenting the certificates to Home Farm Trust.
The National Clean Air Award 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.
To find out more about the award go to http://www.cleanairaward.org.uk or phone 0800 0852917.
Don't Give up Giving Up - NHS Smoking Helpline on 0800 169 0 169
