Pub industry bosses have reluctantly backed the fight to stub out smoking and introduce a comprehensive ban in all enclosed workplaces.

At a press conference on Monday (23 January) the British Beer & Pub Association joined forces with the wider hospitality industry to call on MPs to support one law on smoking for all.

Next month's free vote on the Health Bill for England makes a total ban on smoking in pubs highly likely and has forced pub bosses to reconcile their opposition to protect the industry's interests.

Rob Hayward, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said: "Exempting Britain's 20,000 members' clubs from a smoking ban that was applied to all pubs would be grossly unfair on the pub trade and would make no sense in terms of protecting people from second-hand smoke."

John Grogan MP, joint-chairman of the Parliamentary Labour Health Committee, who was instrumental in achieving the consensus, added: "Today we are unveiling a historic and timely alliance between the hospitality industry, the health lobby and local government - all now committed to the same goal - comprehensive smoke-free legislation.

"I would strongly urge my colleagues in Parliament not to apply different standards in smoking to bar staff just because they work in a club rather than
a pub."

Labour MP Kevin Barron, chairman of the Health Select Committee, reiterated his belief that there was enough support for his bid from MPs to get a total smoking ban.

"The unknown quantity remains how ministers will vote. I am reasonably confident that we can convince MPs to back a ban in clubs as well as pubs, as many members have strong links with trade unions who want this also," he said.

But Nick Bish, chief executive of the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers, said that although he backed efforts to gain a level playing field for the industry, MPs had been denied a truly free vote.

"As an industry we have been set against each other by the Government's unworkable options," he said.

MPs are expected to vote on the tabled amendments to the Health Bill at the start of next month.

By Chris Druce