A BAN on smoking in all pubs moved a step closer yesterday after Government plans to exempt those not serving food were ridiculed by a committee of MPs.

In some of the strongest language used about a Government policy, the Labour-dominated health select committee described a partial ban as "unfair, unjust, inefficient and unworkable".

The MPs warned that pub staff would die from cancer and that the North-South health divide would widen, because smoking would survive in more pubs in the poorer areas of the North.

Ministers were accused of failing to show leadership and of putting forward a proposal that "defies logic" and that was "a recipe for chaos".

The damning report was a huge boost to Liverpool City Council's campaign for the right to outlaw smoking in all public places - including all pubs.

Last night, many MPs were doubting whether the government could continue to hold the line against a total pub smoking ban in the face of overwhelming opposition.

Health experts and the pub and club trade have already formed an unlikely alliance in condemning the idea of exemptions for non-food pubs.

And, significantly, Tony Blair told MPs last week that he was prepared to "listen to the debate with interest" before the Health Bill returns to the Commons next month.

Some 89 MPs, including 53 Labour backbenchers, have signed a parliamentary motion demanding a complete ban - threatening the government's majority if it comes to a vote.

Andy Hull, chairman of the SmokeFree Liverpool campaign, said: "Congratulations to the committee for seeing the issues so clearly and positively.

"We have said since we started campaigning that there is only one way to protect the health of all workers and that is to make all workplaces - including pubs and clubs - smokefree." The Health Bill will outlaw smoking in all restaurants and other workplaces from 2007, but also exempt private clubs.

Kevin Barron, the committee's Labour chairman, said: "The government is missing out on a golden opportunity to dramatically improve the public health of this country.

"The current proposals fly in the face of medical opinion and will do nothing to protect those most at risk. They will simply exacerbate existing health inequalities and will confuse the public.

"The Government should be strong enough to take the tough decision to introduce a comprehensive ban which includes all pubs and clubs."

The report also said the Government was wrong to believe the public was against a total smoking ban, pointing to the most recent study indicating 70% in favour.

The Department of Health has insisted its plans will exempt only 10-20% of pubs, but the proportion of non-food pubs is much higher in many parts of Merseyside.

And a survey by the Publican magazine found that one in five pubs nationally planned to stop selling food so that customers could still smoke.