21/01/2013

Asthma In Children Down Since Smoking Ban

New research has shown there was a sharp drop in childhood asthma cases following the smoking in public places ban.

Using NHS figures going back to April 2002, researchers from Imperial College London say there was a 12% drop in the first year immediately following the ban.

The study, presented in the journal Pediatrics, shows that there had been a yearly 2% rise in children being admitted to hospital with severe asthma attacks before the smoking ban was 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.

(H/GK)


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