Child asthma reduced by smoking bans - Mother Nature Network

Child asthma reduced by smoking bans

British study finds a significant drop in hospital admissions for childhood asthma attacks after a law is enacted banning smoking in enclosed spaces.

Mon, Jan 21 2013 at 2:09 PM

A new study in the United Kingdom has some good news for children who suffer from asthma. According to researchers at the Imperial College London, childhood asthma attacks have dropped significantly since a law was enacted in 2007 banning smoking in enclosed spaces.

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The new study, which was published in a recent issue of Pediatrics, found that the hospital admissions for children suffering from asthma attacks dropped more than 12 percent in the first year after the law was introduced in July 2007. ?The admission rates continued to decline in subsequent years suggesting that the health benefits from the law have had a sustained effect on England's kids.

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Before the ban was implemented, hospital admissions for childhood asthma attacks were rising at a rate of 2.2 percent per year, with admissions hitting a peak of 26,969 admissions in 2006-07. ?Researchers estimate that the rapid decline in admissions, which began immediately after the law came into effect, is equivalent to 6,800 fewer hospital admission within the first three years after the law came into effect. ?

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The decline in hospital admissions was seen across the board in both boys and girls and for children living in poor neighborhoods or wealthier communities.?

Source: http://www.mnn.com/health/fitness-well-being/blogs/child-asthma-reduced-by-smoking-bans