SMOKING will be banned in all pubs and members-only clubs within 18 months after MPs last night inflicted a stunning defeat on Government attempts to allow exemptions.

In a landmark Commons vote, MPs overwhelmingly threw out a proposal to exempt pubs not serving food by 453 votes to 125 - a majority of 328.

Minutes later, they voted to include members-only clubs, including workingmen's clubs and British Legion premises, within the ban by 384 votes to 184 - a majority of 200.

The vote was immediately hailed as a major victory for public health in the North-East, which has among the worst rates of premature deaths from smoking in England.

Andy Graham, of Fresh, the Campaign for a Smoke-Free North-East, said: "This is the best news for the health of the region that we've had in decades.

"We congratulate MPs for refusing to compromise with the lives of workers.

"However, this is not the end of the fight. There is still a big job to do to make sure this legislation comes into force as soon as practically possible."

Action on Smoking and Health said the Government's estimate was that about 700,000 smokers would quit across England - an average of 1,300 in each MP's constituency.

But smokers' lobby group Forest condemned the decision, saying: "Politicians have no right to force people to quit by making it physically more difficult to consume a legal product."

Although MPs on all sides enjoyed a free vote, Prime Minister Tony Blair granted that freedom to Labour backbenchers only when defeat for the Government appeared inevitable.

The Labour general election manifesto proposed exemptions for non-food pubs and members-only clubs - the party's official position until five weeks ago.

Under the Health Bill, smokers lighting up in pubs and restaurants will be fined £50 for a first offence. The Government has yet to set out the punishment for repeat offenders.

Owners of licensed premises will face a maximum fine of £2,500, a sum raised by more than ten times yesterday from the original proposal of £200.

Last night, both Mr Blair and Chancellor Gordon Brown backed a ban in pubs and clubs, despite showing no enthusiasm for the measure only weeks ago.

And Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt completed a U-turn by voting to outlaw smoking in members-only clubs - having hinted she would vote the other way.

She said: "I think the vote today and this Bill will be seen as historic legislation on public health, equivalent to the legislation on seat belts some decades ago."

The vote brings to an end 18 months of Cabinet infighting that sparked claims that Mr Blair had lost control of his senior ministers.

John Reid, then the Health Secretary, first proposed a smoking ban that would exempt pubs that did not serve food, as well as members-only clubs.

But the partial ban was comprehensively criticised by everyone from health campaigners to the leading pub chains as unworkable and certain to backfire.

Dr Reid claimed that ten to 20 per cent of pubs would be exempt, but that exceeded 50 per cent in many Northern towns and cities - meaning a partial ban would widen the North-South health divide.

Furthermore, a survey by an industry magazine found that one in five pubs across England and Wales planned to stop selling food, so that customers could still smoke.

And the Government's chief medical officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, revealed he had come close to resigning in protest at the failure to go for a complete ban in all pubs and clubs.

Last autumn, Patricia Hewitt attempted to rip up the plans by allowing sealed-off smoking rooms in non-food pubs, but was defeated by a revolt by Dr Reid.

Mr Blair, facing a series of backbench revolts, was then forced to concede last night's free vote to avert a further damaging defeat.

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