Publishing her Health Improvement Bill 24-hours later than expected, Patricia Hewitt said it was "an enormous step forward for public health".

The Bill was delayed due to a row between ministers over Hewitt's suggestion that a sealed "smoking carriage" could allow restricted smoking to continue in pubs and clubs.

The Bill contains plans to bar smoking in all public places, except private members clubs and pubs not serving fresh food.

Hewitt had said that the "unworkable" Labour manifesto pledge would be impossible to enforce and would be toughened up to include sealed smoking cabins in non-food pubs.

However, following an extraordinary cabinet row, with some ministers wanting the bill to go further while others urged the government to keep its promises, the original plan was maintained.