It reports that 18.2 per cent of residents living within its boundaries are smoking, compared with the state rate of 13.5 per cent.

The health district’s acting director of population health Priscilla Stanley attests to progress in reducing the rate of smoking.

But she and colleagues remained focused on those who are yet to quit the deadly habit.

“There are over 48,000 smokers across Western NSW,” she said.

“More than half of this number will die early as a direct result of smoking.”

The health district recently launched a long-term strategic plan to save more lives.

“Our recently launched Tobacco Strategic Plan outlines future directions and actions we will take over the next six years to reduce smoking rates and subsequent harm from smoking,” Ms Stanley said.

“It brings together local and state initiatives from a range of working areas that have a vested interest in seeing smoking rates decrease.” 

Health promotion manager with the health district Lyndal O’Leary said the plan had five key priority areas including smoke-free environments, community education and promotion, community programs, smoking cessation services and monitoring and research.

“The plan is adaptable to meet the needs of the community and can accommodate new directions in tobacco control as new evidence becomes available,” she said.

“Many people from the Western NSW Local Health District and other organisations assisted in the development of this plan, and we would like to thank them for their input and expertise in helping reduce smoking rates in our area.”

The health district reports that every four per cent reduction in smoking saves 3000 lives in Australia each year.

According to NSW Health smoking is a leading cause of death and illness in the state, resulting in about 5300 deaths and 46,000 people being admitted to hospital each year. 

For more information regarding the health district’s Tobacco Strategic Plan contact Lyndal O’Leary on  6809 8960.