A BAN on smoking in all pubs moved a step closer yesterday after Government plans to exempt those not serving food were ridiculed by a committee of MPs.

In some of the strongest language used about a Government policy, the Labour-dominated Health Select Committee described a partial ban as unfair, unjust, inefficient and unworkable.

The MPs warned that pub staff would die from cancer and that the North-South health divide would widen, because smoking would continue in more pubs in poorer areas of the North.

Ministers were accused of lacking leadership and of putting forward a proposal that "defies logic".

Last night, many MPs were doubting whether the Government could continue to hold out against a total pub smoking ban in the face of overwhelming opposition.

Health experts and the pub and club trade have already formed an alliance in condemning the idea of exemptions for non-food pubs. A total of 89 MPs, including 53 Labour backbenchers, have signed a parliamentary motion demanding a complete ban -threatening the Government's majority if it comes to a vote.

That Bill will outlaw smoking in restaurants and other workplaces from 2007, but exempt private clubs, including workingmens clubs and sports clubs.

Kevin Barron, the committee's Labour chairman, said: "The Government is missing out on a golden opportunity to dramatically improve the public health."