A new cross-party attempt is being made to cut the Bath area's annual 300-strong death toll from smoking.
It is estimated that the impact of smoking from NHS treatment to litter costs the Bath economy £39 million a year.
Now Bath and North East Somerset Council has become one of the first local authorities in the South West to sign up to a national initiative which aims to counter the effects of smoking and the tobacco industry.
There are as yet no detailed specifics, but the Local Government Declaration on Tobacco Control commits B&NES to reducing the number of people smoking, working with local communities to develop plans and protecting that work from "the commercial and vested interests of the tobacco industry".
Although smoking has declined in popularity, there are still more than 23,000 smokers in B&NES, with the £39 million annual bill to private and public services made up of the cost of NHS treatment, lost productivity through sick days and smoking breaks, house fires, clearing up litter and the effects of secondhand smoke.
Every smoker is £1,700 per year worse off because of their habit.
Council leader Councillor Paul Crossley (Lib Dem, Southdown) said: "Smoking is still the biggest cause of premature death and disease locally, with 300 people dying prematurely in Bath and north east Somerset each year due to smoking-related diseases. This declaration signifies the council's commitment to taking strong action to reduce smoking. It lets the tobacco industry and local people know our intention to protect children and young people from becoming addicted to tobacco and to keep illegal tobacco out of our communities."
Director of public health Dr Bruce Laurence said the council already had strong local services to help people to quit smoking.
"We work with children's centres, schools and colleges to educate parents, children and young people about the damage smoking does to health. This declaration will ensure we build on this good work and strengthen the council's commitment to our vision of a smoke-free Bath and north east Somerset."
Other councils already signed up include Swindon, Newcastle, Manchester, Salford, Warwickshire, and Hartlepool.
The document requires the council to tackle the health inequalities related to smoking, with some areas in the south of the city having a far higher percentage of smokers than wealthier parts of the north such as Lansdown.
Organisers of the national declaration initiative say "it is for local authorities to decide on their priorities."
Fiona Andrews, director of Smoke Free South West, said she was delighted to get the council on board.
"Local authorities now have a responsibility to promote public health and, by making this declaration, Bath and North East Somerset Council is acknowledging how important tobacco control is to improving population health.
"The council has recently taken part in an external assessment of its approach to tobacco control which showed that it has strong local leadership and some good examples of work to protect young people and helping people to quit. Signing up to the Declaration on Tobacco Control will further strengthen commitment to this work across the council."
Conservative group leader Councillor Tim Warren (Con, Mendip) said: "We are fully supportive of the council signing up to this declaration, and it's really positive to see support from across the council for what continues to be a very important issue. Smoking continues to be one of the most significant factors in shortening life expectancy, so it's absolutely right for the council to take a lead on this issue, particularly given its new responsibilities for overseeing public health, which it took over from the NHS this year."
Labour leader Councillor John Bull (Lab, Paulton) added: "I am delighted the council has signed this declaration which highlights the damaging and possibly lethal effects of tobacco smoking, and promotes work to encourage smokers to give up the habit and to discourage young people from taking it up. I am also pleased that the council has backed a plea to Government to introduce legislation to compel tobacco manufacturers to sell their products in standardised packaging."
Independent group leader Councillor Bryan Chalker (Ind, Lambridge) said: "I am more than happy the council has signed up to this declaration which supports the protection of our children and young people from the harmful effects of tobacco, and the provision of help for anyone who wants to quit smoking."
To take the first stop to giving up smoking in B&NES, ring 01225 831852.
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