THE Government has paved the way for a blanket ban on smoking in pubs in England by allowing all its MPs and ministers a free vote on the issue.

Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt said she would support the move to make all bars tobacco-free.

And Prime Minister Tony Blair's official spokesman said he now recognised the 'momentum' of the public mood towards totally smoke-free zones.

Bolton South-east MP Dr Brian Iddon intends to vote in favour of a full ban but Bolton North-east MP David Crausby wants partial restrictions.

The Downing Street U-turn followed months of pressure to scrap existing proposals to exempt licensed premises which do not serve food.

Dr Iddon said: "I support a full ban on smoking with the possible exemption of private member clubs.

"Even then I would make it mandatory for clubs to ask their members to vote on the issue.

"We would have to make it fully clear what being a private member club entails. They're not just places where people go to drink - we would expect, for example, bingo, an entertainment room and a snooker room to be provided.

"But we also have to take into consideration the impact on staff in private member clubs."

Health charities, as well as Bolton's health chiefs, welcomed No 10's decision.

But the pro-smoking pressure group Forest called it "spineless and unprincipled".

Bolton Primary Care Trust's public health specialist Lesley Jones said: "We welcome this exciting news and would strongly encourage our local MPs to use the opportunity to vote in favour of comprehensive legislation that will significantly impact on the health of people in Bolton and reduce health inequalities."

Bolton director of public health Jan Hutchinson said: "I'm delighted to hear the news of a free vote on this very important issue.

"Tackling smoking is the single most important thing we can do to positively improve the health and well-being of local people."

But Mr Crausby said: "I supported the government in the partial ban.

"I'm very anti-smoking, but I think you should try to lead people into this rather than by passing legislation."

Downing Street refused to say how Mr Blair would vote when the issue is debated by MPs next month.

Mr Blair's official spokesman said: "After listening to the range of opinions on the smoking issue, health ministers intend to hold discussions with MPs seeking to amend the Bill to remove the exemption of non-food pubs.

"Following these discussions, it is the Government's intention to allow its MPs, including ministers, a free vote on the amendment.

"We recognise that the public debate has moved on. Also the debate within the entertainment industry has moved on and people have expressed concerns about the practicality of separating food and non-food areas."

But Forest director Simon Clark said: "The Government has shown itself to be spineless and unprincipled.

"The Prime Minister has surrendered to a group of anti-smoking fanatics."

The Bolton Evening News launched its Stub It Out campaign after figures revealed 29.6 per cent of people in the borough smoked. The national average is 27 per cent.

In some areas, such as the Hall i'th' Wood estate, this figure can be as high as 65 per cent.

Since the campaign was launched, more than 1,000 people have signed a petition supporting the ban.

Bolton West MP Ruth Kelly was unavailable for comment.