Leading Leisure Operator Sheffield International Venues (SIV) will be helping smokers to kick the habit as part of National No Smoking Day.

Staff from NHS Sheffield and Smoking Cessation will attend SIV’s Concord Sports Centre, Ponds Forge International Sports Centre and Hillsborough Leisure Centre to offer advice and information on how people can give up smoking.

A carbon dioxide machine will also be available at Concord for members to test their co2 levels – an indication of the affects that smoking is having on a person’s body.

Dave Birds, fitness specialist at Sheffield International Venues, said: “Smoking can seriously affect a person’s health, causing respiratory problems and generally decrease fitness levels, leading to heart disease and cancer.

“Across our venues we are committed to ensuring all our members sustain a healthy lifestyle, but we are aware that smoking is still a habit for many people.

“We are keen provide our members who do smoke with the opportunity to access information and advice on quitting, as well as improving their general health and fitness through the facilities we have on offer at SIV venues.”

The No Smoking Day takes place on 11 March and helps smokers who want to quit by creating a supportive environment for them, and by highlighting the many sources of help and advice available.

The Day remains the UK's foremost public health event, bringing together professionals who share an interest in promoting health, generating significant media coverage, and providing an annual focus for the three in every four smokers who want to stop.

Every year over a million smokers will use No Smoking Day to try to quit.

For more information and advice on how to quit smoking visit www.nosmoking.org.uk, or call the SIV team on 0114 223 3856.