Ministers are considering tighter restrictions on smoking outdoors as part of a drive to phase out tobacco.
Smoking could be banned in pub gardens, outdoor restaurants, outside hospitals and sports grounds.
The measures are being proposed as part of a toughened-up version of the last government’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which would outlaw the sale of tobacco to anyone born on or after January 2009.
That Bill was introduced in Parliament but fell once the general election was called.
The King’s Speech at the state opening of Parliament last month promised to reintroduce the legislation to increase progressively the age at which people can buy cigarettes.
Secret Whitehall papers confirmed the plan to extend the indoor smoking ban despite some opposition within government.
The Department of Health and Social Care said it did not comment on leaks but was considering a range of measures to “finally make Britain smoke-free”.
A spokesperson said: “We do not comment on leaks. Smoking claims 80,000 lives a year, puts huge pressure on our NHS, and costs taxpayers billions.
“We are determined to protect children and non-smokers from the harms of second-hand smoking.
“We’re considering a range of measures to finally make Britain smoke-free.”
