The Department of Health is still refusing to set a start-date for the smoking ban in England despite the announcement from Wales last week.
Welsh Assembly first minister Rhodri Morgan has set an April 2 2007 start for the ban on smoking in all enclosed public spaces - including pubs.
With a ban in Northern Ireland due to come in at the same time, and with the ban in Scotland already seven months in, England will be the last part of the UK to set its own date.
But this week the DoH said it would not be making a decision on the ban until the current consultation on the details of the ban is completed on October 9.
"With the consultation still ongoing, we are waiting for the results of that before we make our decision," said a DoH spokesman.
Pub trade leaders queued up to condemn the Welsh first minister last week for "playing politics" with the smoking issue.
In a joint statement, the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers, the Federation of Licensed Victuallers' Associations, the BII and the Bar Entertainment & Dance Association said: "We accept that the smoking ban is coming and that it is coming soon, but it makes little sense to bring in a ban before licensed premises can make the necessary changes needed to their businesses to accommodate smokers.
"Many licensed premises, especially the community pubs, are the lifeblood of their communities. These self same premises often operate on very low margins. With this in mind we feel that the transition needs to be properly managed. To pick a date even before final regulations are published, seems to suggest that Mr Morgan's announcement has not been thoroughly thought out."
Mark Hastings, communications director of the British Beer & Pub Association, added: "It's an important and fundamental change to the country and it would be better for everyone if there was one fixed date for England and Wales later in the summer."