BRITAIN: The British health secretary Patricia Hewitt was yesterday forced to defend the government's partial ban on smoking in enclosed public places in England as campaigners continued to heap on the condemnation.
Ms Hewitt said the ban, with exclusions for private members' clubs and non-food pubs, would come into effect from summer 2007 - 18 months ahead of the previous timetable.
But she suggested a total ban in all enclosed public places could follow when the legislation is reviewed after three years.
This means that although Ms Hewitt may have lost the battle with cabinet colleagues who demanded a compromise on the smoke-free plans, she may still win the war and get the comprehensive ban she has previously said was her preference.
It is believed that former health secretary John Reid led opposition to a total ban as the cabinet struggled to reach a consensus before the Health Bill was finally published today.
Mr Reid, now defence secretary, published the initial proposals in a white paper last year, including the exemptions which campaigners claim will lead to greater inequalities in the most deprived areas.
There have also been claims the legislation will be unworkable, lead to unnecessary bureaucracy and leave England lagging behind Scotland and Northern Ireland, which are already planning a full ban.
Yesterday's Bill states restaurants, pubs and bars preparing and serving food will be smoke-free. But non-food pubs will be able to choose whether or not to permit smoking.
Ms Hewitt said that private members' clubs would be expected to ballot members on whether they wanted smoke-free premises.