THOUSANDS of soccer fans will be asked to stub out their cigarettes this weekend as part of a football first.

Football Association officials say the decision to brand Middlesbrough's next Premiership home game as a no smoking event is unprecedented.

While smokers will be under no compulsion to stop smoking during the game, health workers will be asking fans to give it a try.

Saturday's match at the Riverside stadium between Carling Cup winners Middlesbrough and Birmingham City will be declared a "No Smoking Game".

Fans will be encouraged to "tackle tobacco today" and try not to smoke during the match. Leaflets providing information about the dangers of smoking will be distributed, giving fans the chance to win VIP tickets for the match against Southampton.

The British Heart Foundation's Herbie the Heart mascot and Health Promotion's Sid the Cigarette will join popular Boro Mascot Roary, to support the event.

Smoking kills 120,000 people in the UK every year.

Professor Peter Kelly, director of public health for Middlesbrough Primary Care Trust, said: "For smokers, the best way to improve their health and wealth is to stop smoking today.

"The club and players do lots of excellent work in our local schools and community promoting positive health messages to children."

He said it was "a real inspiration" that the campaign was backed by Boro captain Gareth Southgate.

A spokesman for the FA said as far as he was aware this was a first for English football.

"We would welcome any initiative that promotes a healthy and active lifestyle," he said.

* The NHS Stop Smoking Helpline is 0800 169 0 169.