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A ban on smoking at work, in restaurants and cafes will be announced by the Government today. But smoking will still be allowed in public houses that do not serve food.

The far-reaching curb on smoking will be the centrepiece of the Government's White Paper on public health.

Tony Blair and John Reid, the Health Secretary, have decided to risk accusations of a "nanny state" to propose that smoking should no longer be allowed in all work places, restaurants, cafes and other enclosed places open to the public.

But they have agreed a limited exemption for licensed premises. The key test will be whether a pub serves "prepared food".

Those that offer meals will be subject to the ban. But a pub that only offers crisps or peanuts will be deemed exempt. In those pubs and eateries that are affected, the food ruling will apply to the whole premises, not just to one of the bars in a pub.