England looks set to follow Ireland's lead and ban smoking in pubs when MPs vote tomorrow in the House of Commons.
The vote follows a climbdown by Prime Minister Tony Blair's government, which had proposed a partial ban, exempting private clubs and pubs that do not serve food.
That idea had angered many members of Mr Blair's own Labour party and prompted the government's chief health adviser, Liam Donaldson, to consider resigning.
In response, the government said it would allow a free vote, in which MPs vote according to their consciences rather than on party lines.
They will now have three options: a total ban on smoking in pubs and private clubs; a ban in pubs but not private clubs; and the original government plan exempting clubs and pubs which do not serve food.
There are some 20,000 private clubs and over 53,000 pubs in England and Wales, according to the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA).
A partial ban would put England at odds with Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales - which have either completely banned smoking in indoor public places or have announced plans to do so.