Elmbridge has taken its first step towards becoming a smoke-free zone.

The council, along with Surrey Primary Care Trust, launched a smoke-free charter for Elmbridge on behalf of its community partnership, on Friday.

Through various pledges, they made a joint commitment towards making the borough a healthier place to live and work.

These included encouraging school-age smokers to quit, working with the Chamber of Commerce to help businesses become smoke-free and raising public awareness of new legislation.

Tony Deag, head of Elmbridge environmental health and chairman of the Elmbridge smoke-free charter group, said: "In launching the smoke-free charter for Elmbridge, we are pledging our commitment to working with our partners to ensure noone is exposed to second-hand smoke at work or in public places.

"We also wish to ensure that education, advice and support is provided to discourage people from taking up smoking and to assist smokers who wish to stop."

New Government legislation comes into effect next year to prohibit smoking in all enclosed public and work places.

For a free leaflet on services which help smokers in Surrey give up, phone 0845 602 3608.