<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=629 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3>MPs step up smoking ban pressure

</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=416><!-- S BO --><!-- S IIMA --><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=203 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD> A partial ban would widen health inequalities, opponents say

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- E IIMA --><!-- S SF -->Rebel Labour MPs are planning to put extra pressure on the government to introduce a total ban on smoking in public places in England.
They are threatening to table an amendment to the Health Bill on Tuesday if ministers do not allow a free vote on the issue in the House of Commons.
Current government plans would allow smoking in private members' clubs and pubs which do not serve food.
Last month, 64 Labour MPs signed a motion calling for a free vote. <!-- E SF -->
BBC correspondent Gary O'Donoghue said the government could allow this "to see off a potential rebellion". Conservative MPs have already been promised a free vote.
In a recent report, the Commons health select committee said a total ban was the "only effective means" of protecting public health.
Public health
A partial ban would "widen health inequalities" and "be disputed in the courts", the MPs added.
But health minister Caroline Flint said it represented "a huge step forward for public health".
The partial ban plan was put forward by the government after several days of argument within the Cabinet.
Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt, who was widely thought to back a total ban, has since said she expects all smoking in enclosed public spaces to be outlawed within a few years.
It is thought she settled for the partial option after meeting opposition in Cabinet from her predecessor John Reid, understood to be concerned it would lead to accusations of a "nanny state".
Some Conservative and Lib Dem MPs are thought to oppose a total smoking ban for fear it could undermine civil liberties.
Tony Blair has promised to "listen to the debate with interest". The partial ban being proposed is the one which was enclosed in the Labour manifesto at the 2005 General Election.
The government has agreed to stop smoking in all pubs and clubs in Northern Ireland, and the Scottish Executive has ordered a ban. The Health Bill gives the Welsh Assembly the right to decide for itself whether to implement a ban it has already twice approved in principle.<!-- E BO -->

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4595724.stm