Members of the British parliament have voted by a huge margin to ban smoking from all pubs and private members' clubs in England.

Health secretary Patricia Hewitt said the change, expected to take effect in summer 2007, would "save thousands of people's lives". Ministers gave a free vote amid fears Labour MPs could rebel against plans to exempt clubs and pubs not serving food. The Commons decided by a margin of 200 to impose a ban on smoking in all enclosed public spaces. (pi)