LCCC Smokefree Squad

LCCC Smokefree Squad

Lancashire County Cricket Club are pleased to announce the launch of our Smokefree Squad to help our supporters give up smoking.

Our Smokefree Squad will be attending all our home games this season and can give you advice, support and guidance on how to stop smoking and provide contact information for your local Stop Smoking Services. Stopping smoking is the single, most important change you can make to improve your health and it’s never too late!

Player Testimonials

Tom Smith
"As a sportsman, it is important for me to lead a healthy lifestyle to ensure that I perform to the best of my ability on the field. Therefore, it is vital not to smoke as it would be detrimental to my progress as a cricketer."

Simon Kerrigan
"I put my full support behind the Smokefree Squad as they are providing vital information for people who may have thought about quitting smoking, but have not known where to go for advice."

Why stop?

Here are some facts about smoking:

• One in every two long-term smokers dies prematurely as a result of smoking.
• Smoking takes oxygen out of the blood and reduces levels of stamina and fitness. So if you want to be top of your sports game it’s best to be smokefree.
• Smoking tobacco gives you dull skin, wrinkles and bad breath. It stains your fingers yellow and makes your clothes and hair smell.
• Smoking increases the risk of impotence by around 50% for men in their 30s and 40s
• Smoking is expensive! A smoker of 20 a day spends £50 a week, and over £2,500 a year.

Smoking also can have a long lasting adverse affect on children:

• If children see smoking as a normal part of everyday life they are more likely to become smokers themselves 
• Children whose parents smoke are around 3 times more likely to become smokers themselves
• Children can become addicted to nicotine quickly - A child who smokes just 1 cigarette doubles their chances of becoming a regular smoker by 17
• Children who are exposed to secondhand smoking are more likely to develop chest problems such as bronchitis; asthma; middle ear infections (glue ear) and deafness; and babies are at risk of sudden infant cot death
• Avoid smoking around children and young people - Make your home and car smokefree. If you or visitors choose to smoke – go outside.

Stopping Smoking

There are a number of benefits to stopping smoking:

• Better health
• More money to buy essentials such as food or treats such as a meal out, trip to the cinema, downloads, CDs and games
• Better insurance rates (car, house, life)
• Increased stamina to play sport
• Looking younger – improved complexion and fewer wrinkles
• Nicer smelling breath, hair and clothes
• Cleaner house and car
• Lower risk of burning clothes, furniture or starting a fire

Reducing or quitting smoking is difficult but help is available. With support from your local stop smoking service smokers are four times more likely to quit than going it alone. Your local stop smoking service can help with:

• A free, personal quit plan, tailored to individual needs
• Stop smoking medicines to help to beat the cravings. These are available on prescription and are free to those on benefits
• Supportive tips on how to stay on track
• Use of a carbon monoxide monitor to see progress in action

Stop smoking services are free, confidential offer a variety of support including one-to-one consultation, group sessions and telephone support are available. Clinics are run at a variety of venues and at different times and you can make an appointment or just drop-in.
If you want to stop smoking you can contact your local NHS Stop Smoking Services by calling one of the following numbers:

So come on and join Lancashire CCC Smokefree Squad today, together we can hit smoking for six!

This campaign has been developed by the European Healthy Stadia Network, Heart of Mersey and Pfizer Limited in collaboration with Lancashire County Cricket Club. The campaign has been funded by Pfizer Ltd.