BRITAIN: British MPs voted to ban smoking in all England's pubs and clubs yesterday, adding it to the growing list of countries taking a tough stand against tobacco.
The vote, which was passed with a majority of 200, followed months of heated debate that divided Tony Blair's government and incensed health groups.
The move comes 55 years after British scientists found a link between smoking and lung cancer.
The law will now pass to the House of Lords, where it is expected to pass.
The government had initially proposed a partial ban, exempting private clubs and pubs which do not serve food. But this was condemned by many members of Mr Blair's own party and prompted open bickering in the cabinet.
Anti-smoking groups, trade unions and the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) also joined forces to call for a complete ban.
The BBPA had warned that any partial ban would have put non-smoking pubs at an unfair disadvantage to those where smoking remained permitted.
Fearing defeat if it insisted on a partial ban, the government said it would allow a free vote.
Any partial ban would have put England at odds with Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, which have completely banned smoking in indoor public places or announced plans to do so.
There are approximately 20,000 private clubs and 53,000 pubs in England and Wales, according to the BBPA.
Mr Blair came under attack last night for voting in defiance of Labour's general election manifesto pledge for a partial smoking ban.
Mr Blair, along with Gordon Brown, chief whip Hilary Armstrong and health secretary Patricia Hewitt, all voted not to exempt clubs from the ban.
Bob Wareing, a Labour MP, said after the historic vote: "I voted for a partial ban in accordance with the manifesto. The prime minister and the chief whip, by their votes, flouted the manifesto pledge."
TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: "This is a major victory for the simple union principle that people at work should not have to breathe in toxins.
"The government was right to make this a free vote, and let MPs have the same debate that has been aired in every pub and bar in the country.
"Working together with health campaigners and progressive parts of the hospitality business, unions have persuaded MPs that employees should enjoy a smoke- free workplace from summer 2007.
"This is a major victory for unions, and a welcome Valentine gift for everyone who breathes second-hand smoke at work."