A drive to protect workers from the effects of inhaling other people's smoke is under way in the region.
The National Clean Air Awards encourage employers to provide a smoke-free workplace.
The first 12 awards to be won in the region will be presented at a ceremony at the Lambton Arms pubs, in Gateshead, tomorrow.
Other winners include a hair and beauty salon, a college, an electrical factory and a fish and chip restaurant.
Acting director of Smoke Free North East office Ailsa Rutter said the awards were an important step in protecting all workers.
She said: "Smoking kills more than 15 people in the North East every day. That's about 5,800 every year.
"If this award scheme prevents just one unnecessary death it will be worthwhile."
The award was set up by the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation and is being run regionally by Smoke Free North East.
It is the first UK-wide scheme that rewards employers for workplace no smoking policies by giving them a nationally recognised award.
The winners include: Government Office for the North-East; One North East; Prestons Coffee Shop, Chester-le-Street; Raby Arms, Hartlepool; A-Belco, Ashington; Health Development Service; Northumberland Care Trust; Timothy Hackworth Primary School, Shildon; Gateshead College; Big Mussel restaurant, Newcastle; Reds Hair & Beauty, Sunderland; North Tyneside Council.
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