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November 2005

Trimdon Bar and Restaurant is First in Sedgefield Borough to go Smoke Free

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Clean Air Award


The Prime Minister Tony Blair MP officially reopened The Red Lion bar and restaurant in Trimdon Village following substantial refurbishment on Friday 15 July 2005.
Mr Blair joined the Public Health Improvement Team from Sedgefield Primary Care Trust (PCT) in presenting the proprietor, Gordon Wright, with a Gold National Clean Air Award certificate and plaque.
The Red Lion is the first bar and restaurant in the Sedgefield Borough area to go smoke free, and one of only three in County Durham to gain a National Clean Air Award.
Gordon Wright, Landlord of The Red Lion, said: “Following the extensive refurbishment programme by Thompson Contractors, we decided to go smoke free. Enterprise Inns already had a commitment to provide ‘no smoking’ areas on their premises, however we decided to go totally smoke free and be at the forefront of government legislation. I wanted to be able to offer customers the opportunity to relax in a smoke free environment. We were delighted that Tony Blair could take the time out during his busy schedule to officially open the bar and present the Gold National Clean Air Award.”

The Gold Clean Air Award is given to businesses who achieve a smoke free building and grounds, and is given in recognition of their efforts to protect the health of their workers. The National Clean Air Award (founded by the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation) is the first UK wide scheme that rewards employers who implement effective workplace no-smoking policies by giving them a prestigious nationally recognised award and provides them with guidance to help them get their policy right.
Susan Lee, Public Health Improvement Facilitator from Sedgefield PCT, who is advising other business and organisations in the area on how to develop a smoking policy and meet the criteria for the award, was at the event to present the Clean Air Award certificate to The Red Lion, whilst Tony Blair presented the Gold plaque.
Any company or organisation, large or small, which has implemented or is planning to implement a no-smoking policy, can apply for the award. The National Clean Air Award website contains all the information you need to successfully implement an effective no-smoking policy: www.cleanairaward.org.uk 

Those organisations that are successful in achieving the award will receive a certificate to hang in their place of work, which is renewable every two years. They will also be included on a national directory and local websites so that people wanting to find a smoke free service in whichever area can find their details. This information is particularly relevant for anyone with breathing difficulties who needs to socialise in a smoke free environment.

Susan Lee, said: “Every year there are more deaths associated with exposure to tobacco smoke in the workplace than any other cause of workplace incident. Existing evidence is already sufficient to implicate secondhand smoke as a cause of lung cancer and coronary heart disease. The Clean Air Awards aim to reduce public and workplace exposure to secondhand smoke.

“We hope to encourage local business’ and organisations to implement no smoking policies and to provide an environment where smokers who wish to stop smoking can be supported and encouraged. I am delighted that The Red Lion is the first bar and restaurant in our area to go totally smoke free and I hope that many other businesses in the Sedgefield area choose to become smoke free in the near future.”

Annie Pluse, Specialist Stop Smoking Advisor from Public Health Improvement Team, within Sedgefield PCT, is working with the staff from The Red Lion to help them to stop smoking by holding weekly sessions within their workplace.

If you are interested in working towards a National Clean Air Award contact Susan Lee, Public Health Improvement Facilitator on 01429 880888 or email susan.lee@cdd.nhs.uk If you would like help to quit smoking contact Annie Pluse or a member of the Sedgefield PCT Stop Smoking team on 01429 880888
 

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