Plans to ban smoking outside hospitals and schools in England

Health charities have welcomed the bill, which will be subject to consultation for the next six months.

Action on Smoking and Health said it would help create a country where young people would never start smoking.

“It is important to have the debate about how we will protect children and vulnerable people from the harms of second-hand smoke,” said the charity’s chair, Prof Nick Hopkinson.

He added: “A key next step is for the government to set out further how it will help the UK’s six million smokers to quit. This will require a properly funded plan, paid for by a levy on tobacco companies.”

Dr Charmaine Griffiths, British Heart Foundation chief executive, said she welcomed the government’s commitment to protect children and vulnerable people from second-hand smoke in schools, playgrounds and hospital grounds.

“We also welcome measures to make vaping less appealing to young people,” she said.