The British Aerosol Manufacturers’ Association (BAMA) has been awarded a Trade Association Award for "Social Initiative", for its campaign to prevent Volatile Substance Abuse (VSA).
The judges remarked that BAMA’s campaign “was a good example of a trade association breathing new life into the fight against a problem that can never be eliminated and needs constant and continuous attention”. They were also impressed with the depth and seriousness of the campaign and the evidence of success it has had since its inception.
BAMA’s campaign against VSA has helped reduce the number of people suffering VSA-related deaths from three a week in Britain in the 1990s to just under one per week in 2006 (according to the latest figures from the Division of Community Health Sciences at St George’s University of London).
Comments Sue Rogers, director of BAMA: “This recognition is very much a tribute, not only to the association, but also to the support of our many members who have worked with us on this difficult issue with real passion and commitment. We will continue to work just as hard on the issue now as we did in the 90s. VSA goes in waves and causes misery to families and so continuous education is vital.”