The constantly rising number of children admitted to hospital for asthma treatment dropped dramatically after the introduction of England’s smoking ban in 2007.
Smokers were forced to take their habit outside after pubs, restaurants and other public buildings erected their enforced “no smoking” signs.
While those who didn’t smoke enjoyed the cleaner air, children were reaping the benefits too.
Prior to the ban, those youngsters needing hospital treatment for asthma was rising year on year and had soared to 26,969 in the year leading up to the ban.
In the year following the introduction of the ban, these types of admissions fell by 8.9 percent and the trend continued, with admission then falling 3.4 percent each year. It is estimated that more than 6,000 hospital admissions for asthma treatment were prevented in the first three years of the ban.
Those who suffer from asthma can be affected by a number of factors, including dust and cigarette smoke. Their airways are sensitive to particles found in these and inflammation occurs, making it difficult to breathe.
Researchers looking in the admission figures believe it is not just the reduction in people smoking in public that has caused the statistics to change so dramatically.
They also put it down to a change in people’s attitudes towards second hand smoke which has stopped them smoking in their homes and car.
The researchers say this evidence, and that from other studies, supports more widespread and strictly enforced smoking laws and should encourage countries where smoking bans are not in place to consider the legislation.
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