82 per cent of local authorities have banned smoking from children's playgrounds, according to a new report.

The Institute of Public Health has found that 26 of the countries' 31 city and county councils have introduced smoke free playgrounds.

It's part of a trend to ban smoking from all public places, to reduce the harm caused by second had smoke.

In Ireland, nearly a quarter of people over the age of 15 are smokers.

A new law, banning people from smoking in cars carrying children was introduced in January of this year.

Director of Policy at Public Health in Ireland Helen McEvoy, says anti-smoking laws are hugely beneficial to the overall health of children: