Smoke signals

The Government's decision followed publicised Cabinet wrangling, but Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt said a bill would be introduced to the Commons today.

The smoking ban will cover all restaurants and pubs preparing and serving food - but not non-food pubs or private members' clubs.

The Bay Horse pub in Fulford serves food, and so must ban smoking. Landlord Jason Baker said: "For health reasons the ban is a good idea.

"Initially, there may be problems with smokers all congregating on the street outside. "However, we already have no-smoking trains, restaurants and aeroplanes, and they work perfectly well, so after a while people will get used to the idea."

Tony Franks, steward of Burton Lane working men's club in York, said: "It's the right decision. If they had banned smoking, it would have emptied every single working men's club across the country.

"Instead, we can carry on as before - it will be business as usual."

The Postern Gate, in Piccadilly, planned to go smoke-free in May, but retained 20 per cent of the area for smokers after a U-turn by parent company JD Wetherspoon.

Landlady Paula Pidd said: "I think the ban is just a better environment for everybody. The one smoking area we have is not a very pleasant environment for the staff at all. Smokers can always do what they do in New York and go outside."

The deal on a smoking ban was reached after a lengthy debate among the Government's top ministers.

Original proposals for a blanket ban dismayed Defence Secretary John Reid, who was unhappy at the prospect of smoking bans in venues like working men's clubs and Royal British Legion halls.

However, some anti-smoking campaigners have reacted with fury to the Government's plans.

Chairman of the British Medical Association James Johnson expressed "utter disappointment" that clubs and non-food pubs would be exempt.

He said: "I cannot believe that, after consulting for three months, this Government has decided not to listen to the vast amount of conclusive evidence that second-hand smoke kills and what was needed was a total ban."

Earlier this year, the Evening Press and the Selby and York Primary Care Trust (PCT) launched the Yes to Clean Air campaign, to protect workers from the dangers of second-hand smoke.

Rachel Johns, the PCT's director of public health, said: "I absolutely support organisations that are keen on becoming smoke-free."

Do you think pubs should be smokeless zones?

Steve Willett, 48, a radio operator from Crewe, said: "As an ex-smoker I could go either way. "It doesn't really bother me, although no-one likes a totally smoky atmosphere. "I don't think people should smoke when there's food around though."

Sara Jackson, 44, a teacher from Hampshire, said: "I saw my father die from emphysema. "But it is people's personal choice, and a ban would not be workable."

Chris Brooke, 25, from Swinegate, a barman at the Blue Bell pub. He said: "I think it should be the management's own decision whether smoking is allowed or not. Ours is a smoky pub, but it suits the atmosphere of the place and everyone who comes in here knows what it's like and accepts that."

Peter Jackson, 48, an optician from Hampshire, said: "It would be nice to have non-smoking pubs, to have a choice, but I wouldn't support a blanket ban. "Some pubs can't change because of their history. Where are the non-smoking pubs selling good ale in an historic atmosphere?"

Updated: 12:04 Thursday, October 27, 2005