Grassroots football and rugby clubs across Leeds are being encouraged to create smoke and vape-free environments as part of a new campaign led by Leeds City Council, Leeds Rhinos Foundation and Leeds United Foundation.
Smoking and vaping are set to be pushed off the sidelines at sports clubs across Leeds under a new campaign aimed at creating healthier environments for children and families. Leeds City Council has joined forces with Leeds Rhinos Foundation and Leeds United Foundation to encourage grassroots football and rugby clubs to restrict smoking and vaping by spectators during training sessions and on match days.
The new ‘smoke and vape-free sidelines’ campaign will see community clubs across the city invited to sign up to a new ‘Smoke and Vape-Free Charter’, with both foundations working closely with clubs to help them put the measures in place. Under the scheme, each club that signs up will appoint a dedicated champion to lead the work and will receive access to a range of resources, including branded equipment packs, signs for clubhouses and pitches, regular expert advice and rewards for demonstrating progress.
The campaign has been designed to create healthier settings for young people, encourage positive role models on the touchline and help reduce smoking levels by directing people to Leeds’ free stop-smoking support services.
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.”
Although smoking rates in Leeds have fallen significantly in recent decades, more than 111,000 adults in the city still smoke, accounting for around 15.6 per cent of the population. The initiative is the latest awareness-raising project from the council’s public health team, which is working towards an ambition of reducing smoking prevalence in Leeds by at least 0.5 percentage points every year — the equivalent of 2,500 fewer smokers annually.
Latest figures suggest the city is performing above that target, with GP data showing there are 4,493 fewer smokers in Leeds than in 2024. Last year, a similar campaign was rolled out in schools, with pupils in years three to six invited to design ‘no smoking or vaping’ signs. The six winning designs are now being installed at school sites across the city.
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.”
The work taking place in Leeds comes as the Government continues to progress the Tobacco and Vapes Bill through Parliament — landmark legislation aimed at creating a smoke-free generation by 2030. The proposed law would gradually phase out the sale of tobacco products to younger people and strengthen protections designed to shield the public from nicotine addiction.
City leaders hope the latest campaign will help build on the progress already made in reducing smoking rates, while ensuring children taking part in grassroots sport can do so in cleaner, healthier surroundings.
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.
