WE have repeatedly said that the Government cannot have it both ways on banning smoking in pubs and clubs.

If it really believes that smoking is detrimental to non-smoking staff and customers, then that principle must apply to all bars - not some.

The idea that licensed premises not serving food should be exempt from the ban was a half-baked, half-hearted compromise to divert some of the adverse reaction from smokers.

What the Government should have done was to have had the courage of its convictions and have shown proper leadership instead of allowing itself to get lost in a fog of confusion.

Thankfully, common sense has prevailed and MPs are to be given a free vote on the issue, giving them the chance to do what they think is right, rather than having to follow the party line.

We will have Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt voting against official Government policy and, no matter how it is presented, that underlines what a mess the Government has created for itself.

A blanket ban on smoking in pubs and clubs will be the end result and the Government can at least take some credit for listening to the public mood and being prepared to change course.

But it also shows how out of touch it was with reality when it came up with its original proposal.