PLANS for a partial ban on smoking will be savaged by a Labour-dominated group of MPs today.

The Commons Health Committee will say the decision to allow smoking in bars that do not serve food is a big mistake.

They will warn it will hit poor areas hardest where pubs will ditch food so smokers can light up.

One committee member said he expected ministers to do a U-turn and make an announcement allowing a Commons vote on a total ban within weeks rather than months.

Committee chairman, Labour MP Kevin Barron also attacked the plans for allowing some pubs and clubs to be exempt from a total smoking ban.

He warned yesterday: "Smokers may flock to the smoking pubs, making matters far worse."

But yesterday a University College London report said total smoking bans could expose children to higher levels of smoke because parents were more likely to light up at home if they can't in bars.