Do YOU think smoking should be banned in outdoor playgrounds?

Smoking could be banned in some outdoor spaces like children's playgrounds and sports grounds

Rules around outdoor smoking in the UK could soon be tightened.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has confirmed reports that the government plans to extend the current smoking ban to spaces including outdoor restaurants, children's playgrounds and sports grounds.

The prime minister said "we have got to take action" to reduce the burden smoking puts on the NHS, adding the government was "going to take decisions in this space" and more details would be revealed.

"My starting point on this is to remind everybody that over 80,000 people lose their lives every year because of smoking," Sir Keir said.

"That is a preventable death, it's a huge burden on the NHS and, of course, it is a burden on the taxpayer.

"So, yes, we are going to take decisions in this space, more details will be revealed, but this is a preventable series of deaths and we've got to take action to reduce the burden on the NHS and the taxpayer."

The full details of the measures are still unknown, but the ban won't affect private homes, or large open ­spaces including big parks or streets.

The proposed plans have been welcomed by health experts, although there has also been some opposition from groups, including members of the Conservative party, who say the new rules could be damaging to the economy.

Why is it such a big deal?

The government wants to crack down on smoking

Changes to current rules around smoking had first been proposed by Rishi Sunak's Conservative government who introduced the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.

His government's plan was to ban young people under a certain age from ever being able to smoke legally.

However, the bill was dropped before the last election.

When Kier Starmer became prime minister, his Labour government said it would bring back the bill. Its impact is set to be even tougher if the proposed restrictions on outdoor smoking are introduced.

If the outdoor smoking ban does come into effect, it would only apply in England and Wales.

However, the governments in Scotland and Northern Ireland could choose to enforce similar changes.

What else has the government said?

Newsround contacted the government's Department of Health and Social Care about the proposed changes to smoking restrictions in the UK.

“We are determined to protect children and non-smokers from the harms of second-hand smoking," a spokesperson told us.

“We’re considering a range of measures to finally make Britain smoke-free.”

How have smoking rules in the UK changed over time?

Smoking in a vehicle with children has been banned since 2015

Rules around smoking in the UK have changed a lot over the years as concerns over the health risks have become greater.

Cigarettes are known to contain thousands of chemicals which can be harmful to humans when they're breathed both directly, and through second-hand smoke.

Smoking is linked to a number of serious illnesses, including cancer, lung disease, heart disease and strokes.

Indoor smoking was first banned in 2007 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Scotland introduced the ban a year earlier in 2006. This made it illegal to smoke in any public indoor spaces including restaurants and workplaces.

In 2012, tobacco products could no longer be displayed at shop counters in larger stores in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Similar rules were introduced in Scotland in April 2013 and two years later, a full ban on the display of tobacco products came into force. This also covered small shops.

In 2015, England and Wales brought in a ban which made it illegal to smoke in a vehicle carrying children, while 2016 saw the introduction of plain packaging for cigarettes.

We want to hear from you - do you think smoking should be banned in spaces like outdoor restaurants and playgrounds?

You can let us know your thoughts in the comments below.