13 Aug Success Stories From Smokefree Squad Campaign
Over the summer months, Healthy Stadia has been working on a smoking cessation pilot project with St Helens Rugby League Club and Lancashire County Cricket Club, using the campaign title – Smokefree Squad.
Developed with the support of Pfizer UK Limited, fans smoking outside of the grounds attending matches this season have been offered advice from stewards who have been specially trained to help those ready to kick the habit. Local NHS Stop Smoking Services have also been on-hand to ensure smokers are aware of all the options available to help support them in their attempt to quit smoking, whilst a range of educational materials carrying the Smokefree Squad logo have been developed, including fixtures booklets and player statistic cards.
In the case of St Helens, the campaign has already started to garner some very positive results. A number of supporters, staff and Rugby League volunteers have quit smoking recently after the launch of Saint’s Smokefree Squad campaign, supported by international players such as Paul Wellens, Lance Hohaia and Jon Wilkin. Demonstrating the success of the project is a new video hosted on YouTube of Saint’s fans and staff detailing their journey towards quitting the habit, and how Smokefree Squad has helped them to achieve their goals.
To view the Smokefree Squad ‘Success Stories’ video put together by Saints, please click here
A full evaluation of the campaign will be published once the cricket and rugby league seasons have finished in October. For more information please contact Matthew Philpott – matthew.philpott@healthystaida.eu
