A ban on branded cigarette packets is set to come into force in the UK in May 2016.
The move was backed by 367 MPs but 113 members voted against it, 104 of whom were Tory – one of the biggest rebellions in the coalition's history. The House of Lords is expected to approve the ban next week.
It means that every packet, no matter the brand, will be the same size and colour and dominated by graphic health warnings. The aim is to help prevent youngsters taking up the habit by making packs less appealing.
The Irish Republic passed a similar law earlier this month, making it the second country in the world to do so after Australia, which has had plain packaging since 2012.
Health campaigners were delighted with the move, claiming it would save thousands of lives. But many MPs were furious that the free vote took place without a debate in the Commons chamber.
Many Tories have long been opposed to the idea, saying there is not enough evidence that it will curb smoking rates and warning of a "slippery slope" towards a crackdown on alcohol and junk food.
UKIP leader Nigel Farage was also not impressed.
How anyone who believes in the free market can support the Conservative Party is beyond me. Plain packaging infringes on property/trademark.
And the plain packaging vote was held without debate in the Commons? What is the point in a parliament? Have the Tories abandoned democracy?
Both David Cameron and Ed Miliband voted in favour – but Nick Clegg missed the vote.
The British Heart Foundation said the move was a "landmark victory that will save thousands of lives". Its chief executive, Simon Gillespie, said: "This new law will help prevent young people from starting this toxic habit by reducing the appeal of colourful packs."
Kay Boycott, chief executive of Asthma UK, added: "We urge the Lords to pass this law next week, so that the 1 in 11 people with asthma – and particularly more than 1 million children in the UK – are a step closer to benefiting from a smoke-free future."
But Simon Clark from smokers' lobby group Forest said, "Consumers are fed up with being patronised by politicians of all parties. Smokers know there are health risks associated with tobacco. Plain packaging won't make any difference.
"What next? Standardised packaging for alcohol and sugary drinks?"
The exact colour and design of the packets has yet to be decided. Olive green was chosen in Australia after research found it to be the least attractive colour to smokers.