Public smoking ban reduces preterm births.

An interesting article in this week’s BMJ reports that Belgian researchers have found that banning smoking in indoor public places corresponds to a decline in preterm births. The research, conducted from 2002 to 2011, measured risk of preterm birth during and after the implementation of Belgium’s smoke-free laws, which were enacted in three steps: workplaces and other public areas were restricted in January 2006; restaurants were included in January 2007; and bars that serve food were included in 2010. The research follows similar studies that have shown public smoking bans corresponding to fewer asthma attacks in children, as well as heart attacks.  Commentary: another piece of useful research that suggests that secondhand smoke may have been responsible for some preterm births.  However there were not adequate controls in the research which should have started before the implementation of any of these restrictions.
Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG - Category: Epidemiologists Authors: Tags: behavioral change Chronic Disease epidemiology MCH policy Prevention Surveillance Source Type: blogs