LFC star faces up to smoking campaign

Oct 2 2007 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

LFC star faces up to smoking campaign

LIVERPOOL FC defender John Arne Riise has signed up to a campaign aiming to stop young people smoking.

The Norwegian football star, whose father died from lung cancer, joined the ATYC (Anti Tobacco Youth Campaign) to help raise awareness of smoking issues among young people.

During a tour of the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation’s headquarters yesterday Riise said he was passionate about stopping people smoking, because of his father’s death – and because many of his friends and family still smoke.

He also tried out an online ageing game, which distorts photographs to illustrates the physical effects of smoking, including mouth disease, yellowing teeth and heavily-lined skin.

Riise said: “Smoking is a serious problem and young people often think it is cool to smoke. As a professional footballer, it’s important to lead a healthy lifestyle.

“When I was growing up, some of my friends smoked but they respected my career and I never felt any pressure from them.

“If there are any young smokers out there and would like help and advice, I would urge them to contact ATYC.”

It comes as the legal age for buying tobacco products was yesterday raised from 16 to18 years, a move the campaign group welcomes.

ATYC member Charly Southern, 17, from Childwall, believes the online game may help discourage teenagers from taking up the habit.

“The ageing effects of smoking are a major concern for young people,” particularly girls, she said.

“Anyone can upload their photograph online and click through the process. The results are shocking but hopefully the message will get through.”

In the UK, approximately 450 young people start smoking every day. About one in six boys and one in four girls are regular smokers by the age of 15. Two-thirds of teenage smokers say they would find it hard to go without cigarettes for a week.

ATYC is a campaign run by young people for young people. It was launched in May 2006 by the foundation and is designed to give young people a voice. ATYC has active groups in Liverpool, Ormskirk, Salford and Widnes.

The visit was part of the Premier League’s Places for Players programme which engages communities across the UK via football clubs and their players. The RCLCF will also receive a £2,000 donation.

TO TRY the online ageing game visit www.roycastle.org/ atyc/game/

lizawilliams