HUDDERSFIELD'S MP was today receiving recognition for his work as a crusader for a smoke-free future.
Barry Sheerman was being presented with an excellence award for his campaign against smoking in pubs, clubs and restaurants.
And there was also praise for a no-smoking scheme, tried out at Huddersfield bus station and copied in other towns.
The Celebrating Excellence in Tobacco Control awards, organised by the Yorkshire and the Humber Regional Public Health Group, were being presented to people and organisations from across the region in recognition of their efforts in making environments a healthier place to live, work and play.
And one of the world's leading tobacco campaigners, Californian Professor Stanton Glanz, who helped turn California into a smoke-free zone, was set to present the awards.
Mr Sheerman said: "I have never been the banning type but I wanted to protect workers' health.
"We know the ill health smoking causes but we have still not introduced any legislation for people working in pubs, clubs and restaurants.
"I know it is addictive and hard for people to give up but it is a question making sure people can live as healthy a life as they can."
West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, the body behind the no-smoking policy first piloted in Huddersfield bus station, was also receiving an award after the scheme was rolled out across other bus stations in the region.
Metro spokesman Michael Keane said: "The initial pilot scheme in Huddersfield proved very popular with passengers. As a result, a rolling programme was introduced to make Metro's bus stations no-smoking areas. Passengers can now enjoy smoke-free waiting in Keighley, Dewsbury and Bradford, and will be able to do so in the bus stations we are redeveloping in Cleckheaton, Batley and Ossett."
Fiona Castle, the widow of Scholes-born entertainer Roy Castle, was also up for an award for her extensive work in the field of tobacco control since the death of her husband.
