SMOKERS could be forced to think twice before lighting up in parks across Cumbria - and could face a future ban.

Signs telling smokers to stub out in play areas could be put up in play parks in an effort to protect children from second-hand smoke.

Conservative county councillor Bill Wearing is calling for action and hopes that in future smokers could be outlawed from playgrounds and open spaces as they have been from work places and public buildings.

A ban on smoking in the 54 play parks and 18 open spaces in South Lakeland could be imposed in the future through the Localism Bill - designed to shift power to communities and councils - which is still going through Parliament.

Mr Wearing, a member of Cumbria County Council’s health and wellbeing scrutiny committee, said that smoking was ‘not appropriate’ in open places.

“People should not be smoking in children’s play areas,” he said. “Secondary smoke can cause health problems and it shows a bad example to children.

“I would like a voluntary agreement with the use of signs rather than laws to raise awareness that second-hand smoking is an issue particularly around children.

“We are not trying to stop people smoking everywhere but it is not appropriate in children’s play areas,” he said.

David Wiggins, programme manager for Smoke Free North West, said some councils in the North West had already placed voluntary restrictions in parks asking people not to smoke in playgrounds.

He said the campaign group - borne out of the smoking ban in public places in 2007 - was hoping councils could use the Localism Bill to follow New York’s lead in extending the ban on indoor smoking to open places such as parks, play areas and streets.

“More and more people are supporting these ideas,” he said. “They are not draconian.”

Bob Gregory, of Gawith’s tobacco manufactuers in Kendal, said parks were being built next to busy roads, where the air was full of pollution from traffic. “There is no evidence second-hand smoke is dangerous,” he said. “I think these people who keep trying to stop us from smoking should look further afield. Smokers are an easy target. What about drinkers?”

The move to extend the ban has been deemed ‘rubbish’ by Cumbrian MEP Paul Nuttall.

“If this idea becomes reality it will mean no more simple pleasures like going out for a walk and having a smoke,” said Mr Nuttall, UKIP Euro-MP for Cumbria.

“I do not believe there is any evidence to show anyone has been adversely affected by second-hand smoke in the open air.”