GLAS-GOALS is a year-long campaign aimed at tackling the city’s appalling health record.

Everyone knows the statistics - we drink more, smoke more and take less exercise than almost anywhere else in Europe. We have alarmingly high rates of heart disease, cancer, diabetes and strokes.

But our Glas-goals campaign aims to change that, setting ambitious, healthy targets for a healthy Glasgow.

The Evening Times has teamed up with a number ofkey partners including NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Culture and Sport Glasgow, Glasgow City Council and Glasgow Housing Association.

And we'll be working with otherkey groups including Marie Curie Cancer Care and Sport Relief to help improve the health of every Glaswegian.

We will be targeting a series of health goals, including basic fitness, obesity, diet and smoking. Wecan help Glasgow stub out a million cigarettes, run or walk a million miles, lose hundreds of thousands of pounds off the city's waistlines.

We intend to raise the profile of the great projects - large and small - already tackling health issues across the city.

And throughout the year, we will be staging fun, informative health and fitness events.

Glas-goals is a campaign for everyone - all ages, all walks of life, all sections of the community, all corners of the city.

Working together - with our partners, with our communities and with our readers - we can make a better future for Glasgow.

So why not sign up today and be part of the Glas-goals health revolution.

Andrew Robertson, chairman of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said:

"Glasgow is an exciting and vibrant city, but, sadly, there is one clear aspect we cannot be so proud of and that is our unenviable health status.

"This health board is tackling the city’s problems with alcohol, drugs, obesity, heart disease, stroke and inequality head on and we are already seeing clear and positive evidence of change and improvement.

"But more still needs to be done to turn the tide and put a stop to the ticking health time bomb that excessive smoking and drinking and poor exercise and diet has created.

"Glas-goals is a campaign that everyone, young and old, can get involved in and I am sure the outcomes will be ones we can all be proud of."

Liz Cameron, chairwoman of Culture and Sport Glasgow, said:

"Encouraging a healthier, energetic lifestyle is a wonderful gift to give our children. For many, including myself, that often starts at the local swimming pool, so we are pleased to be launching this initiative with a free swim for all across the city. I would encourage everyone to dive in and become even more active in 2010."

Karen Milne, fundraising manager of Marie Curie Cancer Care in Glasgow, said:

"We fully support the Evening Times Glas-goals campaign, which will be encouraging everyone to make small changes that could benefit their health and lifestyle in the future.

"By becoming involved in Glas-goals events readers will also be supporting our new Glasgow hospice and the Marie Curie Nursing Service.

"By working together, we can achieve long term change in attitudes to better living and promote a healthier future for the people of Glasgow and beyond."

Councillor Paul Rooney, the council’s executive member for education, said:

"The Evening Times’ campaign is the ideal vehicle for every pupil, parent and staff member in our schools to go the extra mile and do something to improve their fitness levels. No matter how small the effort, it all adds up to adopting a healthier lifestyle and outlook on life.

"I hope Glas-goals will help banish our city’s poor health image and look forward to hearing about all the wonderful ideals and events being organised in our schools."

Louise Jarvie head teacher at St Anne’s Primary, Calton, said:

"We have been delighted with the response to Come Cook With Us," says . "We have been doing it for about 18 months, for all children in primaries one to seven, and it has struck a chord with pupils and their parents."

It was bad press about the health of the area that sparked the initiative. Mrs Jarvie explains: "There was a lot in the news about the life expectancy of the Calton man and the Lenzie man, with the Calton man being much lower. We decided to do something about it.

Pauline Greig, who runs the casses along with a team of parents, said:

"One of the main benefits has been encouraging the pupils and their parents to enjoy sitting down to a meal together, and having some time together as a family," says Mrs Greig. "It’s a great project, and a lot of fun to do.

"The next step is to develop a garden, where parents and pupils will grow vegetables and soft fruits, which will then be cooked."