Victoria could go almost smoke-free by 2025 under a plan backed by 24 of the state's leading health groups to reduce the smoking rate.

Led by peak body Quit Victoria, Victorian health organisations including the Australian Medical Association and Heart Foundation will today launch Target 2025 - a push for stricter anti-smoking laws and more education programs.

The campaign will be supported by the state government's VicHealth body in moving towards just five percent of all Victorians smoking daily by 2025.

Quit Victoria is hoping to stamp out smoking from the state by 2025. Picture: Supplied

Quit Victoria director Dr Sarah White said in a statement that the goal is achievable and would ultimately save the state billions.

“We’re at 13.7 percent now and on track to hit 10 percent by 2025 – but getting to 5 percent would produce significant benefits,” she said.

“Reaching 5 percent by 2025 would save the Victorian economy an estimated $4.042 billion in total tangible costs over the next seven years.

“It would also save lives. As it stands, 450,000 of the 730,000 Victorians who currently smoke are expected to die prematurely.

'Target 2025', led by Quit Victoria and supported by VicHealth, will launch today in collaboration with 24 peak health bodies . Picture: Getty. (Getty)

"Hundreds of thousands will be diagnosed with a debilitating smoking-related illness, such as blindness, stroke, cancer or peripheral vascular disease.”

VicHealth CEO Jerril Rechter said the government body welcomes the move in making Victoria one of the first places in the world to reach the five percent marker.

“Each year more than 4400 Victorian families lose a loved one to smoking. These deaths are tragic and entirely preventable,” she said.

“Although Victoria enjoys one of the lowest smoking rates in the world, we can’t be complacent. We could be one of the first places in the world to reach a five percent smoking if we commit to action.

The plan aims to reduce the numbers of smokers in Victoria to just 5% of the state's population. Picture: Getty. (Getty)

“ Target 2025 calls for greater action to prevent young people from starting the habit, better support to help people quit and tougher action on Big Tobacco to halt their reach into our community.”

On top of convincing adult smokers to quit, the campaign looks to target young people and reduce the uptake of youth smoking in Victoria.

Under the plan, tobacco advertising and promotion would be stopped, TV education campaigns would be rolled out for young people while smoking-related laws would be tightened.

“The 24 organisations behind Target 2025 have signed up to demonstrate their commitment to reaching the ambitious but achievable goal of virtually eliminating daily smoking in Victoria,” Dr White said.

The plan could save the state economy more than $4 billion, while also saving hundreds of thousands of lives. Picture: Getty. (Getty)

“We know what needs to be done to reduce the enormous burden tobacco is having on our state, but to make our goal a reality we need all Victorian political parties to also show their commitment.”

Between 2015 and 2016, costs related to premature deaths linked to smoking cost the Victorian government $9.5 billion in total costs.

With more than 100,000 Victorians each year also diagnosed with a debilitating smoking-related illness, eight percent of the "total burden of disease" in the state could be prevented under the plan.

Heart Foundation CEO Kellie-Ann Jolly said in a statement that the reduction in total numbers of smokers in Victoria will work to reduce heart disease in the state and better overall health.

"Within one day of quitting, a person’s heart rate slows down, their blood pressure drops slightly and oxygen levels in their blood rise," she said.

"Within a year, they halve their risk of heart attack and stroke. In two to six years, their risk of developing heart disease is equal to that of a non-smoker.

“Quitting cigarettes is one of the best ways people can reduce their risk of heart disease and other chronic illnesses, while also protecting those around them from the risks of passive smoking.”

(9news)

Cigarette giant Philip Morris told 9News.com.au in a statement that it welcomes the move, but also pushed for the need of current smokers to be presented with viable alternatives.

“Philip Morris welcomes the idea of a smoke-free Victoria as this has been our company vision for quite some time, both for Australia and the rest of the world," Philip Morris managing director Tammy Chan said.

“However, the key element to truly achieving a smoke-free society is allowing current smokers to have access to better alternatives to cigarettes, such as personal vaporisers and other smokeless tobacco products.

"If we truly want to see a smoke-free society in Victoria and across Australia by reducing smoking rates to below 5%, then smokers must have access to better alternatives."

The 24 health organisations behind Target 2025

Quit Victoria

Australian Dental Association (Victoria)

Australian Medical Association

Cancer Council Victoria

Centre for Adolescent Health

Deakin Health Economics

Diabetes Victoria

Gippsland Primary Health Network

Heart Foundation Victoria

Lakes Entrance Aboriginal Health Association

La Trobe University

Mental Health Victoria

Monash University

Odyssey House

The Public Health Association of Australia

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia

Stroke Foundation

The Lakes Entrance Aboriginal Health Association

Thorne Harbour Health (formerly Victorian AIDS Council)

Tobacco Free Portfolios

United Voice Victoria

Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association

The Victorian Assisted Reproductive Treatment Authority

The Victorian Network Smokefree Health Services