TONY Blair today opened the way for Wales to part company with England in imposing a total ban on smoking in enclosed public places.

A government Bill will allow the Welsh Assembly to introduce its own curbs which ministers accept may go further than the crackdown planned for England.

In England smoking will still be allowed for private clubs and areas in pubs which do not serve food.

But the extent of the ban in Wales will be left to the Assembly which has previously opted for a total ban. Meanwhile pressure for the government to follow the Wales lead in England has been stepped up in the Commons.

Julie Morgan, Labour MP for Cardiff North, has tabled a Commons motion welcoming the vote of the National Assembly calling for powers to introduce comprehensive smoke free legislation and warning that granting exemptions for pubs which do not serve food and private clubs would undermined public health benefits.

The motion, which has the backing of other Welsh MPs, calls on the government "to introduce smoke free legislation" at the earliest opportunity.

Welsh secretary Peter Hain launched a consultation exercise to seek the views of ordinary people, local councils and others on whether they backed a smoking ban.

Welsh minister Nick Anger said: "The proposals for Wales in this consultation document gives the Assembly wide discretion to makes its own decision to implement its policy of banning smoking in enclosed public places.

"The consultation makes it clear that the Assembly will be given powers to deliver measures that reflect the wishes of the people of Wales."