Plans to introduce a smoking ban in some public places were included in the Queen’s Speech at the opening of Parliament on 17 May.

The announcement paves the way for smoking to be banned in all pubs offering food by 2008, but looks to fall short of an outright ban in all enclosed public spaces.

The British Medical Association (BMA) voiced its concern at the statement, as it is campaigning for an all-out ban.

A spokesperson for the BMA said: “Our research suggests the government has underestimated the number of pubs which will be exempt from the partial ban, and many councils say that the plans in their current form will be unworkable.

“Only a total ban on smoking in all enclosed public places will be truly effective.”

The British Hospitality Association (BHA) has called for a nationwide ban and expressed its opposition to let local authorities decide their own smoking regulations.

BHA’s chief executive, Bob Cotton, said: “It is important that the legislation on smoking is kept as simple as possible.”