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QPR URGES FANS TO KICK THE HABIT WITH SMOKEFREE UNITED

Football fans who smoke and want to quit are being urged to sign up to Smokefree United – a virtual club of footie fans, all determined to quit smoking. 

Smokefree United provides coaching and support to help football fans quit smoking. Those who sign up to Smokefree United will receive motivational emails and texts from football legend Ian Wright, enjoy banter in the Fanzone section and win incredible football prizes, like the chance to play at a Premier League club.

TalkSPORT host and former professional footballer Andy Townsend said: “I’d encourage all football fans and players who have thought about quitting to sign for Smokefree United.  Quitting smoking will have a huge impact on your game and you’ll immediately become more competitive on the pitch because your cardiovascular fitness will improve.

“Those smokers who’ve signed for Smokefree United are there to motivate each other when the going gets tough and to celebrate the success of staying off the fags”

Oliver Connors from London, who has quit with Smokefree United, says: “I haven’t smoked since September and Smokefree United has been a great support. I play football at the weekend and I‘ve been really surprised by how much of a difference stopping smoking has made – I’ve got a lot more stamina to run further and for longer. I’ve tried quitting twice before, both cold turkey, but my quit attempt with Smokefree United is going really well at the moment and I’ve recommended it to lots of friends!”

Dominick Nguyen, Regional Tobacco Policy Manager for London said;
"You're four times more likely to stop smoking successfully if you use your local NHS Stop Smoking Service.  So why go it alone? Visit the Smokefree United website and type in your postcode to find details of your nearest team. They can offer one-to-one, group or even online support, tailored to exactly what you want. It's absolutely free and it works!"

With medical research showing that smokers are able to extend the amount of time they can exercise only a week after quitting, Smokefree United and is keen to highlight that quitters could show an improvement in their performance at their next game.

London footballers who smoke are worried they are letting their side down with nearly 1 in three (65%) admitting that their smoking affects the teams’ overall performance.  Three quarters of London smokers (74%) admit they can’t keep going for the full 90 minutes of a match, with 73 per cent admitting that non-smokers have better endurance on the pitch than them. 

The effects of smoking aren't just felt in the dying minutes of a game, seventy eight per cent of London smokers say that they notice the effect of their smoking before half time and nearly half (48%) say they notice it within the first 10 minutes on the pitch.  A further 16 per cent of football players who smoke are embarrassed in front of their team mates due to their wheezing.

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