Mendip District Council has underlined its commitment to protect local communities from the harm caused by smoking by signing up to the Local Government Declaration on Tobacco Control.
The declaration, which has been signed by many other local councils throughout the country, recognises the enormous damage smoking does to communities and pledges that the council will work alongside other local authorities to tackle smoking through the work of the Somerset Health and Wellbeing Board.
The declaration is not aimed at targeting an individual’s right to smoke, but focuses on the harm caused by smoking and the tobacco industry’s continued efforts to promote smoking.
Cllr Harvey Siggs, Leader of Mendip District Council, said: “Smoking is the single greatest cause of premature death and disease in Somerset and is also a major driver of poverty.
“By signing this declaration, Mendip is acknowledging that it has a key role to play in protecting local communities from the harm caused by smoking by working with the Somerset Health and Wellbeing Board and other partners.
“It is a commitment to take action and a statement about our dedication to protecting local communities from the harm caused by smoking.”
You can view the Local Government Declaration on Tobacco Control on the council’s website – www.mendip.gov.uk