Smoking and vaping are set to be sidelined at local sports clubs across Leeds thanks to a partnership between Leeds City Council, Leeds Rhinos Foundation and Leeds United Foundation.
The trio have teamed up to launch a new health campaign in the city encouraging grassroots football and rugby clubs to restrict spectators from smoking or vaping at training sessions and match days.
The ‘smoke and vape-free sidelines’ campaign aims to create healthy environments and positive role models for children while also reducing smoking levels by signposting to the free and accessible stop-smoking services available in the city.
Leeds Rhinos Foundation and Leeds United Foundation have pledged to work with all their community clubs across the city to support them in signing up to a new ‘Smoke and Vape-Free Charter’.
Each club that joins will appoint a dedicated champion to lead the work and have access to a range of resources including branded equipment packs, clubhouse and pitch signs, regular expert advice and rewards for demonstrating progress.
In Leeds, although smoking prevalence has fallen significantly over recent decades, more than 111,000 adults – around 15.6 per cent of the city’s population – still smoke.
The ‘smoke and vape-free sidelines’ campaign is the latest awareness-raising project by Leeds City Council’s public health team to support the city’s ambition to reduce smoking prevalence by at least 0.5 per cent every year – equating to 2,500 fewer smokers annually.
Latest figures suggest the city is well above that target, with GP data showing 4493 fewer smokers between 2024 and now
Last year a similar campaign was held through schools, where pupils in years three to six took part in a competition to create ‘no smoking or vaping signs’ – with the six winning designs now being installed around school sites across the city.
The work in Leeds comes as central government progresses the Tobacco and Vapes Bill through Parliament – a landmark piece of legislation designed to help create a smoke-free generation by 2030 by phasing out the sale of tobacco products to people of a younger age and strengthening public protections against nicotine addiction.
Councillor Emma Flint, Leeds City Council’s executive member for equality, health and wellbeing, said: “We’re thrilled to have the support of our city’s major sports clubs on this important public health campaign.
“Sport plays a crucial role in shaping attitudes and behaviours, particularly among young people, and grassroots clubs and communities teams are uniquely positioned to provide positive role models and environments to support healthy choices.
“We hope this project will influence norms and expectations around tobacco and nicotine use and improve the health of players, families and fans across the city and beyond.”
Victoria Eaton, Leeds City Council’s director of public health, said: “Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable ill-health and death and up to two in three smokers will die prematurely unless they quit.
“Our stop smoking services are to here to support all those ready to make that vital change to a healthier future, with evidence showing specialist support greatly increases the chances of quitting for good.”
Ben Berry, Health and Wellbeing Manager at Leeds Rhinos Foundation, said: “We’re really pleased to support clubs in becoming smoke and vape free, preparing them for the new Tobacco and Vapes Bill and providing much-needed resources and guidance.
“This initiative gives community clubs the tools, advice and recognition they need to provide a safe, smoke and vape free environment for players, volunteers and families.
“The joint effort with the Leeds United Foundation means thousands across Leeds and further afield will benefit from the programme, helping to change attitudes around smoking and vaping at a grassroots level.”
Simon Wood, Head of Wellbeing at Leeds United Foundation, said: “We’re delighted to collaborate with the Rhinos and Leeds City Council in helping clubs in becoming smoke and vape free.
“We’re proud to be leading this positive change in our communities and seeing clubs taking positive steps to protect the health and wellbeing of our young people in the future.”
To find out more about the ‘smokefree sidelines’ project and how to get involved, email health@leedsrhinosfoundation.org or fitleeds@leedsunited.com.
For details on Leeds Stop Smoking services visit www.leedsstopsmoking.co.uk or call 0800 169 4219.