National smoking bans ‘helping to reduce impact of passive smoking’

The health impact of passive smoking is being successfully mitigated by the introduction of national bans on smoking in public places.

This is according to a new review led by University College Dublin, which examined 77 studies from 21 countries, including the US, UK, Canada and Spain, to see how smoking legislation was working to reduce smoke levels in public places.

Of 44 observational studies specifically assessing cardiovascular disease, 33 showed evidence of a significant reduction in heart disease following the introduction of such bans.

Moreover, the greatest reduction in admissions for heart disease following smoking legislation were identified in populations of non-smokers, showing these laws are effective in reducing secondhand smoke exposure.

Study author Professor Cecily Kelleher from University College Dublin said: "We now need research on the continued longer-term impact of smoking bans on the health outcomes of specific sub-groups of the population, such as young children, disadvantaged and minority groups."

The UK's smoking ban came into full effect in 2007, with a subsequent outlawing of smoking in cars carrying children coming into force last year.