WEST Devon Borough Council has pledged to help cut smoking and the harm caused by cigarettes.

The authority is the second council in Devon to sign the local government declaration on tobacco control.

The declaration commits the council to act at a local level to reduce smoking prevalence and to raise the profile of the harm caused by smoking to West Devon communities.

Council leader, Cllr Philip Sanders and joint executive director, Alan Robinson, signed the declaration on Tuesday, January 28 at the local authority's headquarters at Kilworthy Park in Tavistock.

Cllr Sanders said: 'I welcome this chance for the council to give its support to local action to tackle smoking and improve the well-being of people in the borough.

'I was a smoker myself a long time ago when we did not fully understand the harmful impact of cigarettes.

'I would like to think that one day smoking in West Devon will be negligible and we will see that reflected in improved health and life expectancy for our residents.'

The declaration has been endorsed by government, leading public health organisations and charities.

Thirty five other local authorities including Devon County Council have signed the pledge which includes commitments to tackle smoking at a local level, support national initiatives and guard against influence from the tobacco industry.

To read the declaration in full visit http://www.westdevon.gov.uk">www.westdevon.gov.uk