IF you've ever thought about giving up smoking but have never been able to kick the habit, now is your chance.

The average 20-a-day smoker spends approximately £2,000 a year on smoking - enough to pay for a couple of Coventry City season tickets and a fantastic holiday.

Coventry City Football Club's charitable arm - Sky Blues in the Community - has teamed up with NHS Coventry to launch a new free initiative which aims to help people quit smoking and start leading a healthy new lifestyle.

"Giving up smoking is the most important thing you can do for your health," said Dave Busst, who runs Sky Blues in the Community.

"There is no denying it's tough but just think how much healthier, fitter, and richer you'll feel - and how pleased your loved ones will be."

The new initiative - called 'Kick the Habit' - is being launched at Coventry City's home match against Scunthorpe United on Saturday, February 27.

City players are backing the scheme and will be wearing 'Kick the Habit' T-shirts when they warm-up for the clash at the Ricoh Arena.

Sky Blues fans who wish to give up smoking can sign up for the 12-week quit programme, during which they will be able to get free advice and support to stop smoking, with regular meetings held at the Ricoh Arena.

Statistics show that you are four times more likely to quit if you access the NHS stop smoking services.

Everyone who registers their interest in the initiative will be invited to attend a 'Kick It' event at the Ricoh Arena on March 8 from 4pm until 8pm. Attendees will be entered into a prize draw with a host of exciting prizes and incentives up for grabs in a bid to stop them taking their eye off the ball.*

Prizes include the Kick the Habit warm-up T-shirts worn by the players, Coventry City shirts, a match day executive box and pairs of free match tickets.

The 'Kick It' event itself will offer quitters the chance to speak to smoking counsellors as well as give details about other healthy lifestyle projects and activities across the city.

Quitters will also be offered guided tours of the Ricoh which will include looking round the players' changing rooms as well as a pitch-side visit and taking a seat in the dug-out.

Coventry City manager Chris Coleman said: "I am really pleased to be able to support the Kick the Habit project. It's great that Coventry City and Sky Blues in the Community can help encourage some people to give up smoking and lead a healthier lifestyle."

After the 'Kick It' event, there will also be a free, 12-week football coaching scheme - with coaches from Sky Blues in the Community. The coaches will put you through your paces and monitor your fitness progress, offering free match tickets as an incentive to those continuing to have kicked the habit.

Those completing the quit programme will be rewarded for their efforts in front of thousands of people when they will be presented with certificates on the pitch at City's final game of the season against Watford.

In order to register your interest in the Kick the Habit project, text Kick to 81025