Smoking could be banned in these Manchester city centre areas later this year

Some public spaces in Manchester could be 'smoke free' by the end of this year as the city looks to follow in the footsteps of Melbourne and New York.

People smoking in selected city centre outdoor spaces would be asked to stub out their cigarette or leave the smoke-free zone as part of a new pilot project. But there are no plans to bring in by-laws or fines for people caught smoking, with an 'education-first' approach, offering smokers support to quit, favoured.

Piccadilly Gardens, St Peter's Square and the area around Manchester Town Hall are all being considered as potential smoke-free outdoor public spaces. Banning smoking around the Etihad Stadium has also been suggested.

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And developers behind Mayfield Park, the new 'green lung' of the city set to open this summer, are already in talks about becoming a smoke-free space. The new park near Piccadilly Station is currently the only public space under 'active consideration', according to Andrea Crossfield the Making Smoking History Lead for the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership.

It comes as Greater Manchester joins the Partnership of Healthy Cities – a global network committed to saving lives by preventing noncommunicable diseases such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, and chronic lung disease. By joining, the city-region has committed to creating smoke-free outdoor spaces to protect residents and visitors from illnesses caused by tobacco.

Plans are now under way to explore several outdoor spots being turned into healthier, greener, safer spaces, with smoking not allowed in public areas. A public consultation