A CAMPAIGN to encourage more workplaces in North Yorkshire to become smoke-free will be taken a step further later this month.

A double-decker smoke-free bus will be visiting Northallerton and Richmond.

On board will be health professionals and members of the local Smoke-free Alliance, with information, advice and support for anyone interested in turning where they work into a safe smoke-free zone.

The event is part of a campaign across the Yorkshire region to encourage and help businesses to protect their employees and customers by going smoke-free.

Local Smoke-free Alliance co-ordinator Kath Wise, who works at Catterick Village Health Centre, said: "One of the ways we can all create a healthier area is by ensuring a healthy and safe environment for everyone who lives or works here.

"The dangers of second-hand smoke are real. It is not simply unpleasant; in the UK, more than 3,500 people a year die as a result of being exposed to second-hand smoke.

"We believe everyone has the right to be protected from these dangers.

"Let's liberate our workplaces from this health and safety danger as quickly as possible."

Leading the smoke-free campaign in Hambleton and Richmondshire are Hambleton and Richmondshire Primary Care Trust (PCT), Richmondshire District Council, and Hambleton District Council.

The PCT's director of public health, Dr Phil Kirby, said: "More and more places are now introducing smoke-free policies.

"The bus offers support on smoke-free policies in workplaces and public places, as well as giving information for the general public on how to make their homes smoke-free and help for smokers from the local NHS Stop Smoking Service."

The bus will be in Northallerton High Street, between 10am and noon, and Richmond Marketplace, between 1pm and 3pm, on Monday, February 16.