Airdrie on the attack to cut back smoking

Airdrieonians have teamed up with NHS Lanarkshire to highlight the dangers of second- hand smoke.

Club mascot Rocky the Rooster is joining forces with Jenny’s Bear from the health board to encourage fans to become role models for children by making their homes and cars smoke-free zones.

Head coach Mark Wilson and his squad showed their support for the campaign during a recent training session.

A club spokesperson said: “We feel very passionate about the health and fitness, not only of our team, coaches and staff but also the whole Airdrie community.

“We strongly believe that the club is a great platform to promote the health benefits of protecting children from second- hand smoke, preventing them from starting and for stopping smoking.”

A new law has outlawed smoking in vehicles where any passenger is under 18.

Health board officials say they are delighted with the legislation, which imposes a £100 penalty for the offence.

Susan Lyttle, who is NHS Lanarkshire’s smoking prevention and education manager, said: “This legislation contributes towards our work in reducing the harmful effects of second-hand smoke in Lanarkshire.

“Babies, children and young people are more vulnerable to its dangerous effects, especially while travelling in a car as they cannot protect themselves from the smoke.

“Our tobacco control strategy aims to create a smoke-free society. It puts children first with a call for adults to be positive health role models, whether they smoke or not.

“With smoking in young people at a historic low level and fewer Lanarkshire children starting to smoke, we aim to prevent and protect children from secondhand smoke and this new law helps with this.”

NHS Lanarkshire’s stop smoking team is at Airdrie Health Centre on Wednesdays at 1.30pm and Thursdays at 6pm and can be contacted on 0300 303 0242.

Teamwork Airdrieonians are backing the campaign