Both men and women are being targeted through different initiatives, one of which involves Liverpool FC legend and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher. Tony McDonough reports

Public health officials in Liverpool are stepping up their campaign against smoking which they estimate kills almost 1,000 people in the city every years.

In January, Public Health Liverpool persuaded at least 400 more people to make a serious attempt to give up through two distinct campaigns aimed at men and women which clocked up more than 18,000 website visits.

Now that campaign is being relaunched with men being targeted through ‘Kick the Ciggies’, a football-focused initiative which features Liverpool FC legend and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher.

Women are being urged to ‘Chuck the Ciggies’ in a campaign which features local actress and presenter Gemma Brodrick and a series of films with local women Danielle, Amy, Ginny, and Hilary who all quit smoking, sharing their tips and advice and giving encouragement.

Both sites direct people towards Smokefree Liverpool, a free service in the city which already helps around 250 men and women a month give up smoking through free one-to-one support and access to medicines that fight cravings.

There will also be community events and promotion at Everton FC matches.

Cllr Tim Beaumont, Liverpool Council’s Mayoral lead for wellbeing, said: “We had real success with Kick the Ciggies and Chuck the Ciggies at the start of the year and hundreds of people made a serious attempt to give up, many of them successfully.

“What we are trying to do is break down a few barriers and show people that they are not alone and there are lots of different types of support out there to help them quit.

“Smoking is one of the biggest killers in Liverpool and all the evidence shows that quitting is the biggest thing you can do to benefit your health and it also benefits your pocket. 

People wanting to give up smoking can also get in touch with Smokefree Liverpool in the following ways: Phone 0800 061 4212; click onto www.smokefreeliverpool.co.uk; email info@smokefreeliverpool.co.uk; or text: QUIT to 66777