Bathurst smoking statistics: Smoking-related deaths down 25 per cent since 2001-02.

Western NSW Local Health District marked World No Tobacco Day on Monday with yet another plea for smokers to quit for good.

Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in Australia even after decades of government-funded campaigns seeking to cut the toll, but the numbers are improving.

In 2017-18, the most recent figures available, there were 7.64 smoking-related deaths across the Bathurst region for every 10,000 people, compared with 10.48 deaths in 2001-02. But the Bathurst rate of smoking-related deaths remains about 14 per cent above the statewide rate of 6.7 deaths per 10,000.

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Across the Western NSW LHD, 12.4 per cent of the population still smokes tobacco daily, compared with the NSW rate of 11.2 per cent.

Western NSW LHD smoking cessation co-ordinator Nakarri Ferguson said smoking put people at an increased risk of severe complications and death from COVID-19 and was a major risk factor for diseases including cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory disease and diabetes.

"The benefits of quitting smoking are felt almost immediately. Within six hours, your heart rate slows and your blood pressure becomes more stable," Ms Ferguson said.

"Lung function improves within two to 12 weeks, coughing and shortness of breath decreases in one to nine months and your risk of stroke, cancer, and coronary heart disease continues to decrease the longer you don't smoke."

Ms Ferguson said this year's theme for World No Tobacco Day urged smokers to make the pledge to "commit to quit".

"If you are a smoker and need help to make a quit attempt, support is available," she said.

"You can discuss quitting smoking with your general practitioner, Aboriginal Medical Service or call the Quitline on 137 848 (13 QUIT)."

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