CAMPAIGNERS for smoke-free public places in York have welcomed pressure to outlaw smoking from all pubs and clubs.

The controversial Health Bill originally excluded pubs that do not serve food and private members clubs, such as working men's clubs, from the ban.

But MPs have tabled an amendment to extend the ban to all licensed premises.

The Evening Press launched its Yes To Clean Air Campaign last May. The campaign - run in partnership with York and Selby Primary Care Trust (PCT) - was set up to encourage local businesses and organisations to become smoke-free.

Rachel Johns, director of public health at York and Selby PCT, said: "Through our Yes to Clean Air Campaign we have encouraged businesses to implement their own smoke-free policy.

"I'd like to see a consistent approach in terms of the legislation, and at the moment the proposed legislation could make inequalities worse and would be difficult to implement."

Pub operator Wetherspoons is gradually phasing out smoking in all of its premises.

The Postern Gate, in Piccadilly, York - a Wetherspoons pub - is now 90 per cent no smoking.

Manager Paula Pidd said: "Eventually the ban will happen - it's already happened in New York and Ireland - and people might as well get used to it now.

"The partial ban will just confuse people - they won't know where they can smoke and where they can't."

Anita Adams, licensee of the Golden Slipper, in Goodramgate, York, said: "I don't think that Governments who have never run businesses should interfere in any business. As a licensee, I resent that interference.

"But if we have to have a ban - which I don't believe we do - then it should be a total ban. Anything else would be unenforceable.

"Pubs that serve food don't serve it all the time and there should be a level playing field for all public houses."

But Acomb Working Men's Club secretary Frank Healy said: "As far as I'm concerned we will be putting this to our membership.

"Smokers have rights as well, and if the majority of our members want to continue to allow smoking, then we should retain that right.

"The Government can't keep doing this. About half of our members smoke, and the bulk of the staff do. Our members' choice comes above the Government's legislation. We're not schoolchildren, we're talking about a grown-up environment here, and the last time I checked we were not living in a dictatorship."

Deborah Arnott, Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) director, said: "We warmly welcome this amendment. Kevin Barron and the Health Select Committee produced a powerful report before Christmas showing why an end to smoking in all workplaces, including pubs and clubs, was now required.

"Now MPs on the committee from all parties have tabled an amendment to the Health Bill to make sure this happens. Only England would have to live with the unworkable halfway house now in the Health Bill.

"The Government must now announce a genuine free vote on the Select Committee's amendment. MPs have heard the arguments and examined the evidence. Let them have the freedom to make a clear decision on the issue."

Updated: 10:27 Thursday, January 12, 2006