LEAKED proposals about wiping out smoking by 2030 have been welcomed.

According to the government documents, tobacco firms would be forced to pay the cost of helping people stop instead of local health services.

The plans are scheduled to be revealed next week by health secretary Matt Hancock.

Councillor Brian Ford, Swindon cabinet member responsible for public health, supports the move.

He said: “I'd be delighted. Smoking continues to be the biggest preventable cause of ill health and early death as well as the leading cause of health inequality.

“Stopping smoking is the single greatest thing a smoker can do to improve their health as it can have major consequences for a person’s heart, lungs, brain, mouth, throat and stomach.

“Passive smoking increases your risk of getting the same health conditions as smokers.

"For example, breathing in second-hand smoke increases a non-smoker’s risk of developing lung cancer by about a quarter.”

In Swindon, the most recent figures show smoking rates have risen, with 17.7 per cent of the population being smokers.

Cllr Ford added: “Supporting people to quit smoking is a priority in Swindon.

"The council continues to invest in services to support people to quit and more than 1,000 people accessed stop smoking services during 2017-18.

“These services are provided by GPs, pharmacies and the specialist stop smoking service within the council.

"A third of those, quit and as a result will have reduced their risk of developing many health conditions which will shorten their life.

“For information and details of support to quit contact the Livewell Swindon team on 01793 465513.”

Along with the councils current plans, Swindon already has a series of smoke-free zones including the bus station and the hospital.

Stephanie Taylor, Smokefree Lead at Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are proud to be a smoke-free site and aim to support as many people as possible to quit and avoid the harmful effects of smoking.

“There is new signage to remind visitors that they are on a smoke-free site and we often approach smokers with information about local support available.”