The event which takes place next Tuesday (15/12/09) at the Stevenage Borough Football Academy is designed to encourage football fans to stub out the habit and improve their general fitness. Advisors from Hertfordshire NHS Stop Smoking Service will be on hand between 10am and noon to talk informally to fans who are thinking of quitting. They will give them advice on what help is available and show people what effect smoking has on your health.

Supporters who attend can take part in a free one-hour training session at the Academy, where they can show off their football skills and meet a player or two from the club who are due to attend the event.

Smokefree United is a virtual club of quitters that smokers can join to help them quit their habit. Those who join get motivational emails from football legends Ian Wright, Gianfranco Zola, John Barnes and Andy Townsend. They can also enter competitions to win money-can’t-buy prizes.

 Boro captain Mark Roberts said: “Aside from being a great opportunity get up close to pitch, this is an event with an important purpose. Smoking can seriously damage your health and quitting has huge benefits.

“If you play, your cardiovascular fitness will improve dramatically. This will help you to get out and play more football, stay on the pitch for longer and improve your game.

“However regardless of whether you play or not, quitting helps to improve your breathing, blood circulation and energy levels. It vastly improves your physical fitness and cuts your risk of a heart attack or lung cancer.”

Adam Crowe, Business Manager of the Hertfordshire NHS Stop Smoking Service, said: “This event helps to emphasise that quitting smoking is a team effort. You are up to four times more likely to quit smoking if you have support.

“Smokefree United is a great way of quitting because you can do it is as part of a group. You can motivate each other to quit and celebrate the success of staying smokefree.

“Quitting smoking is the single most important thing someone can do to improve their health. NHS support is always there for people whenever they decide they want to quit. In Essex there are several places where smokers can meet our friendly advisors and get the help they need to successfully quit.”

For more information, visit the website www.nhs.uk/smokefreeunited. Alternatively call the NHS Stop Smoking Helpline on 0800 917 0492.