With the municipality having the highest smoking-related death rate in Melbourne, a council manager said last week the council would consider partnerships to investigate having more smoking exclusion zones if an approach was made by Health Foundation and Quit.

The comments come as the council received encouragement to introduce smoke-free outdoor policies, with tool kits being sent out to local governments detailing how they can implement smoke-free zones in areas like parks, playgrounds and outdoor dining sites.

The information packs, designed by the Heart Foundation (Victoria) and Quit, outline why outdoor smoke-free areas are important and provide practical advice on how to develop, implement and communicate smoke-free policies in local government areas.

Smoking is taking its toll on Hume residents. Figures on the Cancer Council's 'Big Kill' website reveal that 75 of 544 deaths in Hume in 2008 (the most recent statistic available) were smoking-related - a total 13.8per cent compared with the statewide figure of 11.9per cent.

Council's aged services and public health acting manager, Bruce Salvin, said the council applied a 'no smoking' rule at all its work locations and indoor facilities, including administration buildings, halls and clubrooms at recreation reserves.

Mr Salvin said the high rate of smoking deaths in Hume was because the prevalence of smoking in the municipality was higher than the Victorian average.

He said the council ensured cigarettes were not sold to minors.

It also conducted annual education sessions with owners of indoor-dining premises to advise them of their obligation to comply with the Tobacco Act, discussing the damaging effects of passive smoking to help protect the health of both staff and public.

"Hume supports all public health initiatives that are produced by the state and federal governments and develops and implements policy and activities in line with current best practice," Mr Salvin said.

Quit executive director Fiona Sharkie said smoke-free outdoor areas were one way to address the toll smoking was taking on local communities in Victoria and bring down smoking rates.

"Smoke-free areas give smokers a reason not to light up, helping many to cut their tobacco consumption and eventually stop smoking for good.

"Smoke-free areas also help to de-normalise smoking for children so that they're less likely to take up the habit later in life."