SMOKING will be banned from all pubs, restaurants and private clubs next year, after MPs from our region took the lead in backing a total clampdown on lighting up in licensed premises.

York MP Hugh Bayley and Selby MP John Grogan were among a group of five MPs who tabled a successful amendment to the Health Bill arguing for a total ban.

In a free vote in the House of Commons yesterday, MPs voted to extend the smoking ban to private members' clubs by 384 to 184. They also voted to include pubs not serving food, by 453 votes to 125.

Mr Bayley today said he was delighted with the support his efforts had been given from all Parliamentary parties.

But leading figures in working men's clubs in York reacted angrily, claiming members should have the right to decide their own club's policies.

Frank Healy, secretary of Acomb Working Men's Club, branded the decision "ludicrous".

MPs had been given three options on which to vote at Parliament - a partial ban originally proposed by the Government, exemptions for private members' clubs, or a total ban.

When the law is implemented in the summer of next year, owners of licensed premises will face a maximum fine of £2,500 if people light up.

Smokers will be fined £50 for a first offence. Spot fines of £200 will be introduced where non-smoking signs are not displayed.

Mr Bayley told the Evening Press: "I have spent three months arguing for a change in policy. This decision will save lives. I am pleased it was such a clear decision and was supported from members of all parties."

He said the people who contacted him about the issue had been "overwhelmingly" in favour of a full ban, adding: "I have a letter from York CIU (Club and Institute Union) asking for the exemption, and something like 50 letters from members of the public arguing the opposite."

He said two pubs, and two bingo clubs had also written in support of a full ban: "When you put that together with the public opinion as expressed in polls, and the good health arguments, I felt that the case was made for a comprehensive ban."

Mr Grogan said: "MPs have taken the decision which people will look back on in the same way as the Public Health Acts of the 19th Century and the Clean Air Act in the 1950s.

"There could be 700,000 less smokers in two years time, and this can only have very good consequences for public health.

"We have now got about 18 months to plan for this major change and that starts today. I have spoken with members' clubs (in my constituency) and I acknowledge their views.

"Experience shows that once a ban is implemented, people will look back, in a couple of year's time, and wonder what all the fuss was about."

Club members vent their anger on Bayley

MEMBERS of working men's clubs in York reacted with fury when they learned of the vote to ban smoking from their premises.

Frank Healy, secretary of Acomb Working Men's Club said: "I personally think it's a ludicrous decision and I look forward to some communication with the Club and Institute Union (CIU)."

"I really would not be surprised if this matter is not rested at the moment. I think this will go to higher courts."

Mr Healy said clubs should have been allowed to vote for their own policies.

He said: "Whatever the members of this club decided would be OK."

Chrissy Winspear, secretary at Holgate WMC, said: "I would have thought that in this day and age members would have had the right to vote.

"I think each individual club would have put it to their members and acted accordingly.

"We are supposed to live in a democratic age and it's getting more and more like George Orwell's Big Brother."

She said: "As far as Mr Bayley is concerned, I feel he has let York down badly."

John Lane, head of finance at Acomb, said: "We have been let down by Hugh Bayley.

"He should have been round here discussing it with us, and asking our views."

Reporter GAVIN AITCHISON asked members at Acomb Working Men's Club, in York, what they thought of the complete ban

PAUL KITCHEN, 53, said: "If we come in here and wish to smoke then surely there could be segregated areas. We will give non-smokers leeway, but we must have places where we can go for a cigarette.

"You will lose a lot of custom for places - I will not come into this club if it's non-smoking altogether."

JULIAN ROFFE, 57, a member at Acomb, said: "I do not think they have asked the public's opinion. They have just decided, haven't they?

"I would not come in here if the full ban came in. 70 to 75 per cent of people here are smokers.

"If you stop smoking in this club they will not be able to get enough revenue."

RUTH BELL, 46, said: "Where are they going to draw the line? It's supposed to be a free country.

"I'm not saying there should not be an area for non-smokers, and where there's food there definitely should be, but it should not be a full ban. Clubs are already closing and they do something like this - they will all be closing."

Updated: 09:42 Wednesday, February 15, 2006