Independent Windermere MLC Ivan Dean has long been a champion for lifting the state's legal smoking age progressively over three years. In August State Parliament will again debate the proposed reform.

It is not news that smoking is bad for you. It is also expensive - for both the person doing it and the health system.

Tobacco smoking remains the leading cause of preventable disease and death in Australia. Tasmania's smoking rate stands at 17.9 per cent compared with 14.5 per cent nationally. About 32 per cent of Tasmanians aged between 18 and 24 smoke, compared with 10.7 per cent in the same age group in New South Wales.

While most young Tasmanians don't smoke, targeting youth smoking remains crucial. Why?

Because research shows that people who do not start smoking in their teens and early adulthood are unlikely to become long-term or life-long smokers.

Some of the most effective means for encouraging people to quit are graphic anti-smoking advertising, annual tax increases and financial incentives. Ironic, given that a pack a day smoker could save $9000 annually if they quit. However, the difficulty of quitting smoking is also well documented.

On Friday the Tobacco Free Communities program launched its second trial in George Town. When trialled in Glamorgan Spring Bay last year, 12 out of the 35 participants successfully quit smoking after the three months. Far more than just paying someone to quit smoking, the program fosters community support. It's about taking ownership.

Of course, people have a choice and those that smoke shouldn't be victimised. But if we can better inform people about their decision and put barriers in place to prevent people from harming their health, then we should. Many people start smoking in their teenage years largely due to witnessing the people around them lighting up.

It's time to break the cycle.