Trade presses MPs to block 'unworkable' plans

The trade will now wait and hope MPs have the sense to block the Government's unworkable smoking ban proposals.

Both the trade and the pro-ban lobby are hoping that MPs will be given a free vote on the issue after a major split in the Cabinet led to a return to former health secretary John Reid's much-maligned proposals.

The Cabinet was said to be at war over the smoking ban and unable to reach an agreement.

Spirit Group chief executive Karen Jones is to write to all MPs urging them to vote against the ban and force amendments to the bill. 'This began as an attempt to find a solution acceptable to everyone and it has ended with a farce supported by hardly anybody,' she said. 'We need to clarify the most sensible timeline and we believe a staged implementation over the next five years will achieve a sensible transition.'

The Conservatives have promised its MPs a free vote on the issue while the Liberal Democrats were also highly critical of the proposals. 'It looks like the Government's plans are being drawn up on the back of a fag packet,' said Lib Dem shadow health secretary Steve Webb. 'The result of the three-month public consultation is being ignored. The voice of the people is being drowned out by the sound of the Cabinet arguing.'

Chairman of the all-party group on smoking and health David Taylor said he would be drawing up an amendment to the bill which he hoped would achieve cross-party support.