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Liverpool is preparing to introduce the Smokefree Sidelines initiative to youth rugby during this year’s Magic Weekend event, scheduled for June 4-5, 2026. This development represents a significant advancement in promoting healthier settings for children and young people who participate in sports throughout the city’s playing fields.
The program aims to encourage parents, carers, and spectators to refrain from smoking or vaping near the pitches. By doing so, it fosters a supportive and health-conscious atmosphere, while offering positive role models for the young athletes. Given that children are heavily influenced by their surroundings, ensuring that sideline behavior promotes wellbeing is an essential part of nurturing their development.
This expansion follows the positive outcomes seen from applying Smokefree Sidelines in youth football across Liverpool. An independent review revealed that 99% of parents and coaches endorsed the effort. After the measure was adopted, instances of smoking during youth football matches fell significantly from 85% to 61%, with vaping also decreasing from 89% to 71%. These results demonstrate the initiative’s success in creating healthier environments for young sports participants and support extending the program to other sports.
Local football legend Jamie Carragher, a former Liverpool FC defender and advocate for the cause, expressed his support: “We want to create a healthy, positive environment for kids. Sport, not just football, should be about young people staying fit and healthy. Smokefree Sidelines in Liverpool is a great initiative, so get behind it.” Similarly, Councillor Harry Doyle, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, highlighted the importance of the initiative in ensuring that young players enjoy a focused and encouraging atmosphere free from tobacco smoke. Professor Matthew Ashton, Director of Public Health, added that expanding the initiative beyond football into rugby and other youth sports is a key step toward fostering smoke-free environments city-wide.
Ben Hardman, Head of the Foundation at Saints Community Development Foundation, also emphasized rugby’s role in uniting families and communities and expressed pride in supporting Smokefree Sidelines at the Mersey Magic Competition and local rugby clubs. The broader goal is for every youth sport in Liverpool to be conducted in smokefree spaces, supporting healthier futures for children and families throughout the city
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