Dale fans struggle with goal of quitting cigarettes

Dale fans struggle with goal of quitting cigarettes

Dale fans are urged to give cigarettes the red card and help the club reach the top of the Smokefree United League.

Rochdale are currently in 21st place after only one smoker got help from the virtual club which helps footie fans and players to quit the habit.

Smokefree United, which was launched in October by the NHS and features all English clubs divided into their respective leagues, is supported by the Premier League and football legends Ian Wright, Gianfranco Zola, John Barnes and Andy Townsend.

More than 1,500 fans have already signed up as the club also gives members access to exclusive competitions.

NHS research reveals that 70% of all football fans in the North West who smoke want to quit.

Almost half of them also play football in their spare time, with cigarettes taking a heavy toll on their game.

A staggering 72% of fans who play football notice the effect of smoking before half-time and almost one in three is embarrassed by wheezing in front of their team mates.

Leaders in the Smokefree United League Two are Northampton with 33 quitters. Shrewsbury are also doing well with 12 quitters. Rotherham are in third place with seven quitters, followed by Burton and Lincoln who boast five quitters each.

Cheltenham, Darlington and Morecambe are languishing at the bottom after failing to sign up a single quitter.

For help quitting, visit the Smokefree United website at nhs.uk/smokefreeunited or call the NHS Stop Smoking Helpline on 0800 917 0492