Thousands of pubs are likely to ditch food to sidestep smoking legislation due to be introduced in England.
Under the Government's current proposals, smoking will be outlawed in all pubs and bars that serve food from 2009.
New research commissioned by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) and Cancer Research UK found the number of pubs currently exempt from the ban - 29% - would mushroom to 40% as a result of legislation.
Worse, health inequalities look set to be exacerbated, with the proportion of exempt boozers in the poorest areas (which already have the highest levels of smoking) rising from 41% to 50%.
Ash director Deborah Arnott said: "This survey shows that the Government is threatening to undermine the enormous public health benefits of its smoke-free legislation by exempting many pubs and clubs. Exemptions would leave many workers at high risk from the damage caused by second-hand smoke."
These findings were backed up by a British Medical Association survey earlier this year, which found ministers had significantly underestimated the number of boozers that would avoid a smoking ban.
And exclusive Caterer research in November 2004 found many major pub groups would consider ditching food if its contribution was marginal to keep high-spending heavier-drinking customers.
The Trades Union Congress called on the Government to go for a complete ban. "The confusing attempt at a compromise that depends on whether pubs serve prepared food has not stood up to public debate, and should be quietly dropped," said general secretary Brendan Barber.
The research comes as the Government's consultation on its plan to ban smoking in all enclosed public places by 2009, except licensed premises that don't serve food and private members clubs, drew to a close on Monday (5 September). Caterer delivered readers' responses to the Government's plans last week.
Two-thirds of respondents backed our stance that the Government's plans did not go far enough, but the pub companies fear a complete ban will hit sales hard.
Nick Bish, chief executive of the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers, which represents 28,000 pubs, bars and restaurants, said: "Staff concerns are recognised through smoking bans at the bar and in the back office areas.
"The likely effect of a full smoking ban is that businesses will go downhill and lose sales. The way companies protect themselves is by cutting jobs."
Bish added that 2,000 jobs could be lost in pubs, bars and restaurants as a direct result of a full ban.
Greene King business risk manager Mike Gore said: "A universal ban would be better than local authorities having the discretional power to impose bans in their areas... but the hospitality industry is quite capable of regulating itself and bans of any kind should be voluntary."
By Chris Druce