Health chiefs on the Fylde coast are jubilant after MPs voted to ban smoking in pubs and clubs.

From next summer, all work places, pubs and clubs, including private members' clubs, will become smoke free.

Blackpool's anti-smoking lobby predicted a dramatic increase in locals' life expectancy, and a drop in booze-fuelled violence.

Jane Roberts, head of tobacco control for Blackpool and Wyre primary care trusts, called the ban 'the best possible outcome' for the boroughs.

She said: "Life expectancy is already much lower in Blackpool than elsewhere, and smoking, more than any other factor, contributes to the difference in life expectancy between those most in need and those most advantaged in Blackpool.

"Not only will this decision protect our most vulnerable workers from second-hand smoke, namely in licensed premises, but also help the 70 per cent of current smokers who want to quit."

Ian Treasure, Blackpool's alcohol harm reduction policy officer, added: "The ban paves the way for on-licence holders to serve food without having to consider the conflicts of smoking.

"Serving food will aid stepped closing times and dispersal of customers to the night time economy in Blackpool. Effective dispersal is vital as congestion is strongly linked to disorder and flash points for aggression.

"Serving food will also assist in reducing the rate of intoxication towards the end of the evening, prior to people leaving venues."

How the ban will be policed is not clear. Kevin McKeown, director of public health and partnerships for Wyre Primary Care Trust, said: "What matters in the end is whether we can in practice eliminate second-hand smoking within Wyre."

Tuesday's majority vote for a blanket ban on smoking came as a surprise to many. A 'compromise' ban -- exempting private members' clubs and non-food pubs -- had been widely predicted.

At Layton Institute, one of Blackpool's best known private members' clubs, secretary Peter Wadeson said the committee hadn't had the chance to discuss the news. The club already has no smoking at bars, and air filtration. But he said: "We will have to see whether people will stop in more."

Joe Curran, chairman of Blackpool's Licensees Forum, said: "Had it been a partial ban, where people could have gone to other premises to smoke, then it would have been unfair."

He said the 'vast majority' of breweries and landlords support the ban.

Lancashire's chief fire officer, Peter Holland, also welcomed the news.

"A smouldering cigarette is the biggest cause of fatal fires, causing one third of all deaths from fires in the home," he said. "The Commons vote is most certainly a significant development as a contribution to fire safety."