Fans' red card for smoking

Smoking has been given the red card by fans at Walsall Football Club who have been given a helping hand to stub out the cigarettes as borough anti-smoking staff join them in the stands.

Advisers from Walsall Stop Smoking Service (WSSS) flooded the stands among fans at Banks's Stadium during the home match against Huddersfield game handing out leaflets giving advice on how to quit.

The move followed on from research which showed that one in 10 smokers in the area had stubbed out the cigarettes since the July 1 blanket ban came into force while two thirds had given thought to kicking the habit.

Walsall Teaching Primary Care Trust's smoking cessation co-ordinator Joanne Robinson said: "Quitting smoking is not easy and we want to reassure smokers that they are not alone. People who quit using local stop smoking services are four times more likely to quit than by willpower alone."

Chief Executive of Walsall Football Club Roy Whalley said: "As with all football league stadiums, the Banks's Stadium is a no-smoking venue and we fully support the Walsall Stop Smoking Service's visit.

"Smoking is an addictive habit and it is reassuring to know that the Walsall PCT are playing their part in helping smokers quit the habit."

WSSS offers help and support to people wishing to quit the habit.

Options available in Walsall include evening and weekend sessions with support from pharmacists and GP surgery nurses. Call 0800 169 9346.