Dr. Richard Schabas, medical officer of health for the Hastings & Prince Edward Counties Health Unit presented seven Smoke-Free Initiative Awards for 2011 to recipients from across the region. The awards were in four categories: healthy environment, school, workplace, and community.
The Healthy Environment Award is for employers who go beyond the Smoke-Free Ontario Act and make a policy change to support a smoke free environment. There were four recipients of this award for 2011 – including the Corporation of the County of Prince Edward – for adopting a Tobacco-Free Parks and Playing Fields by-law in 2011. The award was accepted by councillors Bev Campbell and Heather Campbell.
Also receiving the award was the Trillium 2000 Seniors Club for its efforts in ensuring smoke-free outdoor spaces near doorways; Quinte Health Care for adopting and implementing smoke-free grounds at its sites; and the Belleville Chamber of Commerce for its efforts in ensuring the 2011 Santa Claus parade was smoke-free.
The School Award, presented for using innovative methods and supports for students to stay smoke-free or quit, was awarded to Bayside Secondary School for collaborating with the health unit on providing smoking cessation clinics for students and staff and for hosting the Gruen VonBehrens tour.” (Gruen VonBehrens is a survivor of oral cancer who spoke at the school in 2011.)
The Workplace Award for employers who provide ongoing resources to co-workers or clients to assist them in becoming smoke-free, was awarded to ChoiceCom, a local networks and communications company for allowing flexible working hours for employees to attend the We Can Quit Clinics at the health unit.
The Community Award for individuals or community organizations that contribute to smoking prevention or cessation initiatives was awarded to Foundations Youth Centre in Trenton for its continuing efforts in working with youth to promote smoking cessation.
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