Smoking ban saves lives

Edinburgh University have published new research that indicates that the smoking ban may have saved an estimated 1500 infants’ lives.  It has found that since the introduction of the ban in 2007 to 2011 there has been an 8% drop in both stillbirth and neonatal death rates.  It was also found that fewer babies were born with a low birth weight (which is strongly associated with later health problems) in the research period and there was a reduction in the number of children admitted to hospital with asthma attacks or respiratory infections.

Jane Brewin, CEO of Tommy’s said: “It’s well established that smoking during pregnancy is the leading cause of stillbirth, but the equally harmful effects of second-hand smoke are not always fully appreciated…Whilst the ban has succeeded in reducing women’s exposure to second-hand smoke in restaurants, pubs and so forth we should also recognise its limitations. Pregnant women can still be exposed to second-hand smoke in the home and new legislation, which comes into effect in October, also feels like a missed opportunity. Whilst it will prohibit smoking in vehicles where anyone under the age of 18 is present, the ban will not be extended to cover pregnant women.”

For more information on smoking in pregnancy see our “Be Healthy” page.

Read the research here 

Watch a BBC news report on the research here

Read Tommy’s report here