WILTSHIRE Council has signed a declaration to go smokefree from March.

Leader Jane Scott signed the pledge alongside the council's corporate director Carlton Brand and director for public health Tracy Daszkiewicz.

It has now joined more than 100 other local authorities in tackling the issue head on.

The declaration includes a number of specific commitments including plans with partners and local communities to reduce smoking prevalence and move towards a smokefree generation.

Last month the council also announced plans that its three main hubs - Bourne Hill, County Hall and Monkton Park, will be going smokefree from March 2019 – meaning that staff and members of the public will not be able to smoke anywhere on those sites including their car parks.

Smoking is the biggest single cause of inequalities in death rates between the rich and poor and it contributes to more 600 premature deaths in Wiltshire per year.

Baroness Scott said it was "a statement of our determination to take action to protect our communities" from health issues caused by smoking."

“We have made positive progress in recent years and the move to make our office hubs smokefree next year is the next step in showing our commitment," she said.

“We are proud to be going smokefree and have dedicated support available for anyone wanting to quit smoking for good.”

For those who smoke and want to stop for good, Wiltshire Council can provide lots of support, including a dedicated health trainer team. People should visit wiltshire.gov.uk/public-health-trainers

Useful information and support can also be found on the council’s smoking support pages on the website at wiltshire.gov.uk/public-health-stop-smoking