Childhood asthma 'admissions down' after smoking ban
28 January, 2013
London: There was a sharp fall in the number of children admitted to hospital with severe asthma after smoke-free legislation was introduced in England, say researchers. A study showed a 12% drop in the first year after the law to stop smoking in enclosed public places came into force. The authors say there is growing evidence that many people are opting for smoke-free homes as well. Researchers at Imperial College in London looked at NHS figures going back to April 2002. Presenting their findings in the journal Pediatrics, they said the number of children admitted to hospital with severe asthma attacks was rising by more than 2% a year before the restrictions were introduced in July 2007. Taking that into account, they calculated the fall in admissions in the next 12 months was 12%, and a further 3% in each of the following two years. They say over the three-year period, this was equivalent of about 6,800 admissions. The fall was seen among boys and girls of all ages, across wealthy and deprived neighbourhoods, in cities and in rural areas. End.
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