The air quality at adult-care facilities in Rockland County is about to improve thanks to one man's effort to push county lawmakers to ban smoking inside the homes.

Edward Branca, of Spring Valley Rest Home, says the facility had a smoking room and that the smell of smoke was horrible.

The 68-year-old was recognized by four organizations for his efforts to get a new county law that bans smoking from all adult-care facilities in Rockland. Branca says he would like to see the state follow suit.

MORE: Rockland man aims to ban smoking inside adult care facilities

Branca says he's hated cigarette smoking since he was a teen and has been fighting for cleaner air for years, despite some backlash from residents.

"There are people who are not happy with what I did, especially in wintertime," says Branca.

Staff at Spring Valley says everyone has benefited since the smoking room was closed. Residents now use an outdoor smoking area that is not part of the main property.

The Rockland County law banning smoking from all adult-care facilities goes into effect next month.