The league will compete in Smokefree Rotherham-branded kit and give out information about the risks of smoking and how to get help to quit. During last year’s competition the organisers were concerned at how many players were taking cigarette breaks and committed to raising awareness of the need to quit during the 2010/11 season.

This is the Indoor Cricket League’s second season, with eight teams competing in an 18-week round-robin style tournament. Each team has six players aged between 16 and 30 years; nationally this age group has the highest smoking rates and yet the health benefits of quitting are at their highest. At matches players and supporters will be able to access information about the risks of smoking and where they can go for NHS support to quit. The league organisers have also invited Rotherham NHS Stop Smoking Service to talk about their service between matches. 

Kamran Razaq, member of the league’s management committee, said: “As sportspeople we should be more aware of the risks of smoking, how bad it is for our health and the impact it can have on our playing ability. The league attracts many young people who may have recently started smoking or whose friends all smoke and we want to give them the motivation to quit and make sure they know the best place to go for help.”

Alison Iliff, Tobacco Control Lead at NHS Rotherham added: “We are delighted that the Indoor Cricket League is promoting Smokefree Rotherham. Most young people are non-smokers and we need to ensure that those who do smoke know where they can get help. The easiest and most successful way to quit is with NHS support, from the Rotherham NHS Stop Smoking Service or from your doctor.”

Rotherham NHS Stop Smoking Service offers drop-in sessions, group, one-to-one and telephone support. You are four times more likely to quit successfully with NHS support. There are a number of ways that you can get in touch with the service.

You can contact them on 01709 422444, email or simply call into the Stop Smoking Shop at 16 Bridgegate in Rotherham town centre, where their friendly staff will be pleased to help you.