13 October 2010 Last updated at 10:32 ET

MP David Nuttall's bid to end smoking ban in pubs fails

Mr Nuttall is a non-smoker

An MP has failed in his attempt to permit landlords to decide for themselves whether to allow smoking in their pubs.

David Nuttall, the new Conservative MP for Bury North, wanted to overturn the smoking ban with a House of Commons Early Day Motion.

Mr Nuttall's bill was defeated by 141 votes to 86.

He said the legislation was partly responsible for the closure of dozens of pubs in his constituency.

His bill would have exempted pubs and social clubs from the ban, allowing landlords to have dedicated smoking lounges for drinkers, complete with smoke filters.