Press releases

December 20, 2004

CHARITIES WORKING TOGETHER

The highly successful National Clean Air Award adds the British Lung Foundation to its impressive list of endorsing organisations.

Launched by The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, the national award scheme aims to dramatically increase the provision of smoke free places and protect people against exposure to second-hand smoke.

The National Clean Air Award gives recognition and rewards to businesses and organisations which have smoke-free policies and supports those who wish to implement a policy.

The endorsement means that, with immediate effect, both organisations will work together to promote the provision of smoke-free work and public places and reduce the health damaging effects of tobacco smoke; the leading cause of lung cancer and implicated in the development of many lung diseases.

Tina Williams, National Clean Air Award Manager said:“I am delighted that The British Lung Foundation has agreed to endorse The National Clean Air Award. Tobacco smoke is the leading cause of preventable death in the UK and is having a negative effect on many businesses. Both these trends can be reversed through the provision of smoke-free work and public places.

“There is a growing demand for smoke-free places to stay, eat, drink and enjoy leisure time. More than 70% of people are non-smokers and we know that many of them avoid a place where smoking is allowed - which provides a massive untapped customer base for the hospitality industry.”

Dame Helena Shovelton, Chief Executive of the British Lung Foundation said: “Working with The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation on the hugely successful National Clean Air Award is a very positive step for the British Lung Foundation.

“The damaging health effects of second-hand smoke are clear and people have the right to work in smoke free environments.

“More than eight million people across the UK live with a lung condition and all of them are severely aggravated by exposure to second-hand smoke. They should be able to work and socialise in places they usually avoid for fear of a lung attach or a worsening of their symptoms brought on by the smoky atmosphere.”

Notes to editors

Endorsed by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health and Asthma UK , the Award is being offered to all companies and organisations which are committed to a non-smoking work environment and the protection of employee and customer health through the elimination of second-hand tobacco smoke.

An on-line directory of smoke free venues on www.cleanairaward.org.uk

For more information about The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation log on to www.roycastle.org

For more information about the British Lung Foundation log on to www.lunguk.org

ENDS

Issued by M&M on behalf of

The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation (Registered Charity 1046854).

For further information, please contact

Alice Barlow or Lynn May on 01829 752751 .