The Middlesex-London Health Unit will honour local organizations, businesses and individuals who have made a contribution in the effort to reduce the use of commercial tobacco products and to reduce exposure to second-hand smoke. To coincide with the 10th anniversary of the Smoke Free Ontario Act and the annual World No Tobacco Day, the Health Unit has opened nominations for its first Tobacco-Free Public Health Champion Awards. The goal of the Awards is to recognize those in London and Middlesex County who have made a significant contribution towards programs and policies that help prevent people from initiating tobacco use; support those who are trying to quit; and/or limit exposure to second-hand smoke.

The Health Unit is joining forces with the other public health partners that make up the Southwest Tobacco Control Area Network (Southwest TCAN) to create these Awards to highlight the milestones that have been achieved over the last decade.

“From smoke-free workplaces and tobacco flavor bans, to tighter rules on marketing tobacco to youth, it’s easy to forget that just 10 years ago, there was still smoking in restaurants and many workplaces,” says Donna Kosmack, Manager of the Southwest TCAN. “Those achievements are the result of countless hours of effort by people and organizations which put the health of their families, friends and communities first. We think that’s cause for celebration.”

Award nominees may include individuals or organizations who:

• Provide programs and/or services to help people quit smoking;
• Support smoke-free spaces by creating policies that protect residents from second-hand smoke;
• Deliver youth-focused programming, activities and educational information that help prevent the initiation of tobacco use;
• Or, lead a tobacco-wise lifestyle that embodies the spirit of the Smoke-Free Ontario Act.

Residents of London and Middlesex County can fill out a Tobacco-Free Public Health Champion nomination form online, or download a printable form at www.healthunit.com/tobacco-free-public-health-champion-awards. If you have any questions or wish to request a nomination form, contact (519) 663-5317 ext. 2673. Nominations must be received by 11:59 p.m. on May 6th, 2016 to be considered for the Tobacco-Free Public Health Champions Awards. The Awards will be presented at a special World No Tobacco Day event on May 31st.

Media Contact:
Dan Flaherty, Communications Manager, Middlesex-London Health Unit, 519-663-5317 ext.2469 or 519-617-0570 (cell.)

Spokesperson:
Donna Kosmack, Manager, Southwest Tobacco Control Area Network