On No Smoking Day 2018, we’re delighted to inform supporters that Rochdale Football Club is one of six local sports clubs that have recently pledged to go smoke-free to give children the chance to enjoy physical activity without being subjected to harmful second-hand smoke.
Dale and the five other clubs pledged to sign up to Rochdale Council’s Smoke-free Sports Scheme at a special event held at Crown Oil Arena last month.
A no smoking policy will now be enforced at childrens’ training sessions and matches to help de-normalise smoking around children and young people. This means children and teenagers might be less likely to take up smoking, while also promoting healthy lifestyles and protecting children and families from the health harms caused by smoking.
David Bottomley, director at Rochdale AFC, attended the event to talk about the club’s experiences of going smoke-free and the impact it can have on the health of their supporters. He pledged his support for the scheme, saying:
“As a former smoker I’m against smoking because I’ve seen the negative effects it has on people’s lives. I smoked for 32 years but finally gave up at the age of 52 because it made me so ill I was hospitalised. The Smokefree Sports Scheme is a fantastic way to attract young people into a healthier world of sport and prevent them from taking up in the first place. We are committed to being smoke-free and we hope other clubs will do their part to make our borough healthier.”
The clubs that will become smoke-free are:
- Bamford Tennis Club
- Heywood Cricket Club
- Littleborough Juniors Football Club
- Rochdale Football in the Community
- Rochdale Junior Football Club
- Wardle Football Club
These clubs follow in the footsteps of Rochdale Sports Club and Bridge Juniors Football Club, who successfully implemented smoke-free policies last year.
It is hoped that all sports clubs in the borough with junior teams will become smoke-free and even extend the ban to their adult teams.
The scheme, run by the council in partnership with Link4Life and the Living Well Service, will provide the clubs with a policy, promotional signage and leaflets to help challenge anyone smoking on the touchlines. They will also provide support for those wanting to give up smoking via the local stop smoking service.
Councillor Sameena Zaheer, assistant to the cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “We know that smoking is bad for your health as one in two long-term smokers die from smoking related diseases, such as heart disease, cancers and strokes. We also know sports are a great way to stay healthy so the 2 just don’t go together. I’m pleased to see our sports clubs taking this step towards our ultimate aim of all children and young people being smoke-free and living in a healthier, happier borough.”
- Sports clubs who would like to sign up to the Smokefree Sports Scheme can contact the public protection service on 01706 924187
- Free online help and support is available to quit smoking
- Alternatively, you can contact the stop smoking service on 01706 751190