 |
Envex Company Limited |
 |
Envex Company Limited
Suite 1, Bulldog House
267-269 Reading Road
Winnersh
Berkshire
RG41 5AB
Tel: 0118 977 3030
Email
View map
Suite 1, Bulldog House
267-269 Reading Road
Winnersh
Berkshire
RG41 5AB
Tel: 0118 977 3030
View map
Scottish smoking ban - public health success
|
A study of nine Scottish hospitals has found a 17% fall in admissions for heart attacks in the first year after the Scottish smoking ban came into force. The figure is included in one of a series of research papers presented today at an international conference discussing the impact of the smoking ban on Scotland's health, air quality and society. The research is part of a national evaluation of the impact of Scotland's smokefree legislation which shows that the smoking ban has had an overwhelmingly positive effect. The evaluation found that after the legislation came into force there was: • a 17% reduction in heart attack admissions to nine Scottish hospitals. This compares with an annual reduction in Scottish admissions for heart attack of 3% per year in the decade before the ban • a 39% reduction in second hand smoke exposure in 11-year-olds and in adult non-smokers • an 86% reduction in secondhand smoke in bars • an increase in the proportion of homes with smoking restrictions • no evidence of smoking shifting from public places into the home • high public support for the legislation even among smokers, whose support increased once the legislation was in place. Scotland's Deputy Chief Medical Officer Professor Peter Donnelly said: "This raft of research demonstrates the significant public health benefits that the smoking ban is already having in Scotland. "It provides evidence that the legislation is improving the health of everyone in Scotland - including smokers, non-smokers, children and barworkers. "One of the most important findings is the reduction in heart attacks. We believe that the smoking ban was a large contributory factor to this drop. "I am confident that we will continue to see the positive effects of the ban in years to come." Sally Haw, Principal Public Health Adviser at Health Scotland, who co-ordinated the research programme, said: "The programme of evaluation is the most comprehensive yet conducted into the impact of smokefree legislation. "We found clear evidence of improvement in air quality, a 40% reduction in secondhand smoke exposure in the population and a dramatic 17% reduction in heart attacks. "As well as providing feedback for Scotland, the results from the evaluation will help support countries worldwide in their efforts to develop and implement smoke-free legislation and reduce the harm caused by second-hand smoke." The heart attack admissions to the nine study hospitals account for 63% of all Scottish admissions for heart attack. |
|
