BORO CAPTAIN LENDS SUPPORT FOR NO SMOKING MATCH

Middlesbrough Primary Care Trust (PCT) are hoping that a premiership partnership with Carling Cup Winners Middlesbrough Football Club will encourage fans at the Birmingham City Game to give up smoking.

The match on Saturday 20 th March 2004 will be a specially requested No Smoking game where fans will be encouraged to ‘Tackle Tobacco Today' and try not to smoke during the match and then hopefully think about stopping for good.

Leaflets providing information will be distributed at the game giving fans a chance to win VIP ticket for the forthcoming Southampton match. Only 5000 leaflets are available so fans are encouraged to arrive early to avoid disappointment.

The British Heart Foundation's Herbie the Heart mascot and Health Promotion's Sid the Cigarette will be join popular Boro Mascot Roary, to support the event.

The day will also include pre match and half time entertainment, the ever-popular foam hands, T-shirts and stickers worn by staff and match day experience, games for children, and much, much more!

Middlesbrough Primary Care Trust's smoking cessation services, who are actively backing the event, expressed their delight at being able to target smokers through Middlesbrough Football Club.

They said, ‘This is an important health message as families come together at football matches and there is an issue around the known dangers of passive smoking in public places.

“Smoking kills 120,000 in the UK every year, and is the largest preventable cause of ill health and mortality. Lung cancer rates here in the North of England are significantly above the UK's National average. “

Professor Peter Kelly, Director of Public Health for Middlesbrough PCT is delighted with the venture, and said, “For smokers, the best way to improve their health and wealth is to stop smoking today!

“Evidence shows that stopping smoking whatever your age will help you avoid cancer and coronary heart disease, the most important single factor is making the commitment to stop”.

Professor Kelly praised the commitment of the club and their willingness to support this event. He said, “ The club and players do lots of excellent work in our local schools and community promoting positive health messages to children.”

“Having the backing of Boro Captain Gareth Southgate, who has fronted the campaigns posters and leaflets, is brilliant he is a real inspiration and his involvement will hopefully help persuade people to stop smoking.”