NEWCASTLE Falcons are helping to kick smoking into touch, 50 days before lighting up in public places is banned.

The Guinness Premiership rugby club has teamed up with Newcastle City Council to remind people in the region of the ban, which comes into force on July 1.

Smoking will be banned in most workplaces and public spaces, including pubs, clubs and shared company cars.

Mick Hogan, the Falcons' commercial director, said: "New legislation can be a bit of a minefield and we wanted to make sure we understood what was going to be expected from us and what we needed to put in place to comply with the requirements.

"A visit from the council's smoke-free project co-ordinator was extremely helpful and answered all our questions and concerns."

Smoking kills between 5,000 and 6,000 people in the North-East every year, and second-hand smoke kills 35 people.

For more information on the smoking ban, visit www.smokefreeeng land.co.uk