PROPOSALS to ban smoking on beaches and in parks in Brighton and Hove are set to be abandoned.

Almost 2,000 people responded to a public consultation earlier this year with most saying they strongly disagreed with the idea.

However they were in favour of smoke free zones at the entrances to school gates and children’s centres and also in children’s play parks.

Public health officials could also be asked to work with restaurants and pubs to encourage smoke free outdoor areas on a voluntary basis.

Smoking is the biggest cause of premature death in the city and health officials want to encourage people to give up, not begin smoking in the first place and avoid being exposed to passive smoke.

A report to Brighton and Hove City Council’s health and wellbeing board said: “Support for the extension of smoke free outdoor spaces relates to areas associated with children such as play parks, outside school gates and the entrances and grounds of children centres.

“There is support amongst Brighton and Hove non-smoking residents for restaurants and pubs to have smoke free outdoor spaces and the majority of all residents who responded agreed that it was antisocial to smoke where people are eating and drinking.

“There is no majority support from smokers and non-smokers, residents or visitors, for smoke free beaches or parks.”

Responders against the proposals said the ban, which would have been voluntary, would have a negative effect on to the local economy and the move impacted on their human rights.

Opponents have also said it would be unenforceable.

Director of the smokers' group Forest, Simon Clark, said: “There is no justification for banning smoking in the open air. There's no risk to anyone else's health and the inconvenience to non-smokers is usually minimal or non-existent.

"Hopefully this will send a strong message to other councils considering similar policies.

“Banning smoking in outdoor public spaces is not only a step too far, it's also very unpopular with the general public."

Health and wellbeing board chairman Daniel Yates said: “I believe the measures that are being suggested are a common-sense approach and an appropriate reflection of the views of our residents and visitors.

“We’re delighted with the level of response to this consultation.”

The board is expected to recommend dropping the proposals for the ban on the beaches and in parks at its meeting on Tuesday (December 15).

At the same time it will decide whether the approve smoke free zones at school gates, children’s centres and play parks and to work with restaurants and pubs over smoke-free outdoor areas.