Reduction in premature births since the smoking ban

Researchers in Scotland have found a reduction in premature births since the ban on smoking in public places was implemented in January 2006. Scotland was the first country in the UK to introduce the ban and had since seen drops in cardiovascular and respiratory disease as well as
a reduction in environmental tobacco smoke exposure in adults and children. In this recent study, Mackay et al. (2012) found there was a significant drop in overall preterm deliveries and in the number of infants born small, and very small, for gestational age after the ban was implemented. These reductions occurred in both mothers who smoked and those who had never smoked.

Similar results have also been found in Belgium where smoke-free legislation was implemented in three phases. It was first introduced in public places and workplaces in 2006, then in restaurants in January 2007, and finally in bars serving food in January 2010. You can read an article about that research here.

If you are pregnant and wanting to quit smoking, the smokers' clinic can refer you onto a specialist pregnancy service.