Nottinghamshire County Council took another step towards tackling the harm caused by tobacco in our communities by signing the Local Government Declaration on Tobacco Control at its Full Council meeting on Thursday 20 November.

The move confirms the County Council’s dedication to protecting their local communities from the harms caused by smoking, is a demonstration of local leadership and acknowledgement of best practice, and commits the Council to take action on these issues. More than 80 local authorities nationwide have signed the declaration.

Councillor Joyce Bosnjak, chair of the Nottinghamshire Health and Wellbeing Board said:

“We take tackling tobacco incredibly seriously, both in terms of the damage that it causes to the health of individuals and the wider impact it has on our communities, which is why I am so pleased that we have been able to make our commitment official by signing the Local Government Declaration.

“We have made good progress in reducing the number of people across Nottinghamshire that smoke, but still have a way to go. Particularly in those areas where we know more people smoke. We also know that smoking leads to around 1,300 deaths a year in the county, that it costs our economy over £200m each year, and that it disproportionately affects the health outcomes of people living in more deprived areas.

“We are doing a lot of work to support people to quit smoking, but also want to do more to help prevent young people from smoking in the first place and to provide positive smokefree environments. Signing the Declaration helps us focus our minds on tackling these issues as a whole Council.”