THE innovative challenge encourages current smokers to kick the habit for a 28-day period, as this has been scientifically proven to increase your likelihood of quitting for good fivefold!
Walking through the stadium concourses before kick-off, it is clear to see that many football fans have a cigarette in the designated smoking areas. Many of you may think this is part and parcel of your matchday routines but it is important to consider the benefits the people around you and you personally will obtain if you manage to stop smoking for good.
We are all fully aware that smoking has a negative impact on our cardiovascular health and increases our susceptibility to critical illnesses such as cancer, heart and lung disease over the long-term. However, let’s have a look at how giving up cigarettes can benefit the average football fan’s matchday experience …
Five ways in which smoking can improve your match day experience:
1. Smoking affects our ability to appreciate the flavours of the food we consume on matchday, so to ensure we enjoy our pre-game refreshments and post-match meal more, we should nip the habit in the butt.
2. When you’re standing at the bar after the match celebrating the latest R’s victory, make sure you look your best. Smoking stains your teeth and affects your skin, which could make you less attractive to the opposite sex!
3. Non-smokers are more likely to be approached by new people in social situations, so improve your likelihood of making new friends and partners!
4. In the week prior to a match, a 20-a-day smoker is likely to spend in excess of £36, which would be enough to buy your child the latest Rangers home shirt in the Superstore!
5. To make sure you can accurately re-enact the latest screamer scored by Adel Taarabt, you need to make sure you can keep up with the pace of the game. Quit smoking to make sure you don’t run out of puff as soon as the game has kicked off!
In the local community, we actively advocate the importance of not becoming a smoker in local primary schools through our lifestyle and well-being project, QPR Health Stars.
The resources for the programme have been developed in partnership with Kick Butt, part of the Kick It stop smoking service in Hammersmith. While they are fun and interactive, they stress the negative effects smoking can have on us and our environment.
As both a club and Trust we are fully committed to supporting
Stoptober and, as such, you may have seen the advertisements for the campaign at the West Ham United fixture.
These will be present in the stadium today so if you need help to quit or know someone who does, it’s not too late!
The Trust’s health team and Kick It in Hammersmith and Fulham will be happy to offer their support free of charge and guide you every step of the way through your 28-day quest to kick the habit once and for all!
Kick It Stop Smoking Service can be contacted by:
Text … KICK IT to 07800 000 264
Visit… 7 Galena Road, Hammersmith, London, W6 0LT from 9.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday
Phone… Helpline: 020 8741 8314. The helpline is open from 9am to 7pm, Monday to Friday