Tory and Liberal Democrat MPs, who were given a free vote, joined forces with Labour MPs to approve an amendment to the Children and Families Bill ban by 376 votes to 107 – a majority of 269.

It will give Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt the power to bring in a ban in England, while Welsh Government ministers also have the power to follow suit in the Principality.

Last week, more than 700 experts wrote to MPs urging them to back change. But critics say legislation is not needed.

Would you support a ban on smoking in cars with children? Vote in our poll below and have your say in the comments section:

West Midlands MPs who voted for the ban included Ian Austin, Dudley North; Adrian Bailey, West Bromwich West; Michael Fabricant, Lichfield; Mark Garnier, Wyre Forest; Margot James, Stourbridge; Chris Kelly, Dudley South; Jeremy Lefroy, Stafford; Pat McFadden, Wolverhampton South East; James Morris, Halesowen and Rowley Regis; Emma Reynolds, Wolverhampton North East; Sir Richard Shepherd, Aldridge-Brownhills; John Spellar, Warley; Paul Uppal, Wolverhampton South West; Valerie Vaz, Walsall South; and Gavin Williamson, South Staffordshire.

Health Minister Jane Ellison told MPs the success of a smoking ban in cars carrying children will not be measured by the number of times the police enforce it.

Instead, she said, its success would be gauged by the reduction in exposure to second-hand smoke.

She told the Commons: "The Government has sought to reflect the views expressed by those in the Lords by bringing forward an amendment that is technically workable.

"And there is going to be debate on it and we will see what the view of the house is and we will take our steer on the principle of the issue then having heard the views of both houses. In the event that legislation is to be brought in to stop smoking in cars carrying children, we should not measure success by the number of enforcement actions.

"We should measure success by the reduction in exposure to second-hand smoke."

For Labour, shadow health minister Luciana Berger said: "This is a great victory for child health which will benefit hundreds of thousands of young people across our country. It is a matter of child protection, not adult choice."

She added: "The will of Parliament has been clearly expressed today and this must be respected. Ministers now have a duty to bring forward regulations so that we can make this measure a reality and put protections for children in place as soon as possible."

A Department of Health spokesman said: "Second-hand smoke is harmful to children and it is right that this has been debated in Parliament. We will now determine how this amendment should be taken forward."

In the meantime, Public Health England would continue its campaign to 'ensure parents fully understand the dangers of second-hand smoke and are encouraged to stop smoking in the home or car if there is a child present', he added, saying: "Evaluation of those campaigns shows they are increasing awareness of the risks of second-hand smoke as well changing attitudes and behaviours."

Penny Woods, chief executive of the British Lung Foundation, said: "Having campaigned on this issue for many years, we're absolutely delighted that MPs have backed the ban on smoking in cars carrying children. This could prove a great leap forward for the health of our nation's children."

The House of Lords passed the amendment to the Children and Families Bill last month. The bill returned to the Commons on Monday for debate.

Labour has said that if the measure does not become law before the next election, it will be included in its manifesto.

How our MPs voted on issue:

IN FAVOUR:

Ian Austin, Dudley North,

Adrian Bailey, West Bromwich West,

Michael Fabricant, Lichfield,

Mark Garnier, Wyre Forest,

Margot James, Stourbridge,

Chris Kelly, Dudley South,

Jeremy Lefroy, Stafford,

Pat McFadden, Wolverhampton South East,

James Morris, Halesowen and Rowley Regis,

Emma Reynolds, Wolverhampton North East,

Sir Richard Shepherd, Aldridge-Brownhills,

John Spellar, Warley,

Paul Uppal, Wolverhampton South West,

Valerie Vaz, Walsall South,

Gavin Williamson, South Staffordshire,

David Winnick, Walsall North

DID NOT VOTE OR NOT PRESENT:

Aidan Burley, Cannock Chase,

Bill Cash, Stone,

Tom Watson, West Bromwich East