Child asthma hospital admissions fell after smoking ban, study shows

[Redfairen]

Source: The Guardian

The number of children admitted to hospital after serious asthma attacks has fallen steeply in England since smoking was banned in public places such as bars, restaurants and offices.

Hospitals recorded 6,802 fewer cases of childhood asthma in the first three years of the ban, which was introduced in England in July 2007, according to NHS figures.

Researchers said the fall came as more people imposed smoke-free homes in the wake of the legislation.

Before the change in law, hospital admissions for the condition were rising 2.2% year on year. In the first year after the ban admissions fell by 12.3%, and there were further falls of more than 3% in each of the following two years.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/jan/21/child-asthma-smoking-ban-study

[kestrel91316]

1. Wow. No one could have foreseen this.

[PaulaFarrell]

12. Well, I couldn't have

It was a ban on smoking in workplaces. Most public spaces for children were already smoke-free. So yes, the effect on asthma in children in pretty surprising.

[onehandle]

2. Heart attacks have dropped substantially in NYC with smoking restrictions.

It's a stupid, pointless addiction.

[former9thward]

7. NYC has the highest rates of heart disease in the country.

As least according to this article: Death rates from heart disease in New York City and its suburbs are among the highest recorded in the country, and no one quite knows why http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/18/nyregion/18heart.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

[onehandle]

10. That article is from 2005. Heart disease does not necessarily mean heart attacks.

Here's New York's biggest heart problem:

[christx30]

8. I agree

I seriously hate it when people smoke. I used to have a roommate that smoked. I would have to keep my door closed so I wouldn't have to smell it. It's toxic and disgusting and a lot of times, smokers don't even care about people that have to breathe that crap.

[surrealAmerican]

3. It seems a bit surprising to me.

How much time do British children spend in "bars, restaurants and offices"?

... and is that really what caused people to "impose" smoke-free homes, or was there some other health initiative at work here? It doesn't seem very likely that people would stop smoking at home just because they're not allowed to smoke in their office or at the pub.

[JDPriestly]

6. People quit smoking because they didn't want to have to resist the urge in public places.

Also, the ban made a lot more people aware of the dangers of smoking.

And if you get used to a smoke-free environment, you start to dislike the smell of tobacco smoke. I used to take it for granted, especially in public restrooms. Now I hate it. If I go into a place where people are smoking, I try not to stay a minute longer than I have to.

Tobacco smoke stinks.

[sakabatou]

4. Oh?

[Turbineguy]

5. Great Britain needs the NRA

Last edited Tue Jan 22, 2013, 11:31 AM - Edit history (1)

They can offset that good news.

[Comrade_McKenzie]

9. I've always been on the fence about smoking, but not lately. nt

[valerief]

11. If only those asthmatic kids had guns.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

13. I have had to break off friendships with smokers.

Because if I went to their house and visited them, I would have a raging sinus infection/bronchitis within 48 hours. Without fail. And they had cats and dogs too.

Can't handle it; I have allergic asthma. Both my parents smoked when I was little. I have never ever touched a cigarette.

I have scar tissue in my lungs that shows up on x-rays. Looks like dandruff on the edges of the major tubules.

I think one reason I'm still alive is that I have a very large ribcage with a greater than average air capacity than the normal person my size. And square shoulders. Got that from mom.