Smokers have already been barred from lighting up in pubs, clubs, restaurants and all public buildings, but Sutton's nicotine addicts are also set to be expelled from children's playgrounds.

The move, due to be presented at Beddington and Wallington's local committee this week, calls for areas housing swings and roundabouts to be designated no smoking areas with signs erected around their perimeters.

Councillor Bruce Glithero, who is spearheading the move, said he was inspired after watching his own children "suffer".

"As the father of four daughters we often like to go to the park, but recently I was sitting at the side of the sandpit when I turned around to see one of my four-year-old twins spluttering.

"At first I thought she had swallowed some sand, but then I realised she was coughing because smoke from a woman sitting nearby was blowing directly into her face. It seemed so unfair.

"The main reason people go to the park is to enjoy some fresh air, and this move aims to protect that."

If given support the ban will be trialled in parks in Beddington and Wallington, before being rolled out borough-wide, subject to council approval.

Although there is no legislation to support the move Coun Glithero hopes to gain the co-operation of the public.

A spokesman for pro-smoking group Freedom Organisation for the Right to Enjoy Smoking Tobacco (Forest) labelled the move "nonsense".

He added: "The idea that anyone is at any risk of breathing in smoke in an open area is utterly ridiculous. This is just another example of an attempt to denormalise smoking and make adults feel guilty about smoking. There is not a scrap of evidence to suggest that children surrounded by smoke are endangered.

"This is just pure and utter victimisation."

A similar scheme in Exeter, however, has already enjoyed success.

In October last year 50 signs carrying the message, No smoking in this Children's play area' were put up across the city.

Councillor Connel Boyle, Exeter's lead councillor for environment and leisure, said the council had taken the bold step to help protect children's health.

"It's just not fair for children to have to breathe in other people's cigarette smoke, whether it's a family member's or anyone else's," he said.

The proposal was also welcomed by Jean King, Cancer Research UK's director of tobacco control who added they welcome any new measures which could reduce a child's risk of cancer in later life.