Public smoking bans linked to healthier kids

Bans on public smoking may lead to drops in childhood asthma and premature births, new research shows.

Researchers, led by Jasper Been, analysed 11 studies that examined how hospital admission rates for children’s asthma attacks and premature births changed after public smoking bans in the UK, Europe and the US. The study found rates of asthma admissions and preterm births dropped by about 10% one year after restrictions were implemented.

Researchers say the fall may be a result of the bans making smoking less socially acceptable, rather than a decrease in smoke-exposure to children in public places.