SWINDON Council hasn’t ruled out the possibility of banning smoking in parks.

The discussion has been prompted following a report from London’s health commission calling for smoking to be banned in Trafalgar and Parliament squares, London parks and even at bus stops.

Lord Ara Darzi, the former health minister and a cancer surgeon, has put forward the recommendations.

The potential public places ban would be on top of the smoking ban which was introduced in England, in 2007, which prevented people from smoking inside pubs, bars, restaurants and other public buildings.

Local authorities across the country have been encouraged to consider introducing the ban.

Cherry Jones, Swindon Council’s deputy director of public health, said the move could be something to consider.

“If it would prevent young people taking up smoking then it is something that we could consider,” she said.

However, any introduction of the ban in Swindon is far off becoming a reality given that the matter hasn’t been debated by councillors.

But the national smokers' group, Forest, thinks a potential ban would be wrong.

“A ban on smoking in parks and squares would be outrageous,” said the group’s director Simon Clark.

“There's no health risk to anyone other than the smoker.

“If you don't like the smell, walk away.

“The next thing you know we'll be banned from smoking in our own gardens in case a whiff of smoke travels over the fence."

The Government said it had no plans to ban smoking in public places.

In 2011, New York introduced a ban on smoking in Central Park and all of the city's parks and beaches.

When the Adver went to press, a poll on our website showed the majority of readers would back such a move.

When asked whether smoking should be banned in public spaces such as parks and at bus stops, 48 per cent of people said they would, with just 28 per cent disagreeing with the notion.

Meanwhile, 17 per cent said they would back a ban in some public spaces, while seven per cent said they would rather see a complete ban on smoking.