MPs have voted by a huge margin to ban smoking from all pubs and private members’ clubs in England.

Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt said the change, expected to take effect in summer 2007, would “save thousands of people’s lives”.

Ministers gave a free vote amid fears Labour MPs could rebel against plans to exempt clubs and pubs not serving food.

The Commons decided by a margin of 200 to impose a ban on smoking in all enclosed public spaces.

Cabinet votes

The Cabinet was split on how far restrictions – set out in the Health Bill – should go, with Conservatives calling government policy a “shambles”.

Prime Minister Tony Blair, Chancellor Gordon Brown and Home Secretary Charles Clarke all voted for a blanket ban.

But Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell, Defence Secretary John Reid and Education Secretary Ruth Kelly opposed it.

This is really going to affect generations to come and make the nation a lot healthier

Elspeth Lee, Cancer Research UK

A total smoking ban is due to come into force in Scotland next month, and Northern Ireland is set to follow suit in April, next year.

The Health Bill gives the Welsh Assembly the right to decide for itself whether to implement a ban it has already twice approved in principle.

Ms Hewitt, who voted for a total ban for England, told the BBC: “I’m absolutely delighted. This is really a historic day for public health.”

She added: “This is going to save thousands of people’s lives.”

Source: BBC News

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