HEALTH-conscious people in Oxfordshire support a new no smoking strategy that was launched in the county yesterday to mark World No Tobacco Day.

Local people gave their feedback to say they welcomed the Oxfordshire Tobacco Control Strategy which will encourage a smoke-free society.

Despite a decline in smoking rates in recent years, 10 per cent of adults in Oxfordshire continue to smoke.

The plan outlines a vision for Oxfordshire to be the first smoke-free county in five years. A public consultation revealed the proposal was backed by 64 per cent of people.

The Government’s own target is to make England smoke free by 2030.

Andrew McHugh, lead member for health and wellbeing at Cherwell District Council, said: “As Chairman of the Oxfordshire Health Improvement Board, I recognise tobacco to be the most serious cause of preventable disease and early death.”

The plan outlines a vision for Oxfordshire to be the first smoke-free county in five years’ time and after a public consultation, 64 per cent of people supported this.

The strategy was developed by the Oxfordshire Tobacco Control Alliance (OTCA) which consists of bodies such as county, district and city councils, Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group and Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust.

It aims to achieve its vision through prevention, local regulation and enforcement, creating smoke-free environments and supporting smokers to quit.

See oxfordshire.gov.uk/publichealth