ACTION to reduce smoking in Buckinghamshire and stop people taking up the habit is promised after a joint council pledge to crackdown on the habit.

Bucks has become the first two-tier local authority area in England to jointly sign the Local Government Declaration on Tobacco Control.

This hard-hitting action plan acknowledges smoking as the single greatest cause of premature death and disease in the community and outlines promises to take stern, positive action on prevention.

The declaration, first drawn up in May 2013 by Newcastle City Council, is based on the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

And the pledge is fully supported by all levels of NHS in the county.

BCC’s Deputy Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing Carl Etholen said: "this declaration sets out our local authorities' firm commitment to work together to tackle the greatest cause of premature death in our communities - smoking.

"We're pleased to join authorities across the country in making this stand on the health damage caused by tobacco."

Recent figures from the Office of National Statistics show that around one in five adults in the country – 19 per cent - are smokers.

And although this has plummeted from 46 per cent of adults in 1974, the councils intend to do more to educate, treat and prevent those who are hooked.

The move has been welcomed by anti-smoking campaigners.

Hazel Cheeseman, director of policy for smoking campaign organisation ASH said: "Tackling tobacco can transform lives and communities, reduce inequalities and put cash back in the pockets of those who need it most.

"We are delighted to be celebrating Buckinghamshire as the first area in the country where all district councils, NHS organisations and the county council have signed up to these commitments.

"Leadership of this kind from local government and the NHS is vital if we’re to be successful in reducing smoking."

To view the pledge, visit http://www.smokefreeaction.org.uk/declaration/files/Declaration.pdf