Smoking could be banned in Redbridge parks after the cabinet member for health praised the recommendation.

Cllr Wes Streeting, deputy leader of the Labour council and cabinet member for health and wellbeing, voiced support for the London Health Commission’s proposal, led by Lord Darzi, which called for London’s parks to be smoke-free.

The commission found around 1.2million Londoners smoke, resulting in 8,400 early deaths each year, and 67 schoolchildren take up the habit every day.

A ban in Redbridge would have to be passed as a bye-law, similar to the spitting ban which is due to be enforced in the borough in around six months.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson yesterday rejected plans to introduce the ban across London himself, but called on local councils to make decisions themselves.

Cllr Streeting said: “It would be irresponsible not to consider this very carefully, I am fully behind the report and we have a responsibility to look at all ways of improving health.

“We need a debate about this and I am keen to explore options like this, maybe not a full ban on smoking in parks but a ban in children playgrounds.

“The council will not introduce anything without public consultation and there could be an issue of how we enforce it.

“If there is a very positive response then the council will seriously consider it and I am keen to hear from people in Wanstead and Woodford about this.”