The council spokeswoman added that the signs were "part of a programme of activity to reduce the harm of smoking tobacco to the health of Blackpool residents, particularly children".

BBC: The old and new smokefree signs for Blackpool parks

Further, Sir Richard Doll, who first brought our attention to the links between smoking and lung cancer said: "I do not mind people smoking in my presence, since the risk of harm is so minimal".

BBC: Non-smoker

Martin Dockrell, director of research and policy at the campaign group Action on Smoking and Health (Ash), acknowledges that there is no clear evidence of a significant harm to health from second-hand outdoor tobacco smoke.

BBC: New York's outdoor smoking ban: Will the world follow?