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.

Is it time to introduce plain tobacco packaging in the UK?

In December 2012 Australia became the first country in the world to introduce legislation on plain packaging for tobacco products. Between April and August 2012, the UK government conducted a consultation on bringing in similar legislation in this country. As part of this consultation, the Department of Health published an independent scientific review that examined the findings of from 37 studies providing evidence of the impacts of plain tobacco packaging. This review found strong evidence that plain packaging would reduce the appeal of tobacco products and make health warnings more effective. A recent YouGov poll also found that 62% of people were in favour of plain packaging and just 11% were opposed to it.

One organisation that has come out in support of plain packaging is Cancer Research UK. Click here for a video produced by Cancer Research UK, arguing that plain packaging is vital in making smoking less appealing to children.

Click here for a video made by Imperial Tobacco arguing that plain packaging is a case of the "Nanny State" gone too far.

Do you think that plain packaging would help to stop people taking up smoking?