Research shows that stillbirths have dropped by almost eight percent in England since smoking was banned in 2007, according to the International Business Times.
The researchers studied birth data in England between 1995 and 2011 and found that there was an eight percent decrease in the number of babies dying shortly after birth and a six percent decrease in the number of stillbirths from the time the ban was implemented.
In just four years since the ban was imposed, there appears to have 1,500 less recorded stillbirths and 5,000 fewer babies with a low birth weight of under 5.5 lbs (2.5 kgs).
Low birth weight is known to be affecting the long-term health of infants.
Smoking and secondhand smoke have adverse effects on health, most especially on the health of unborn children. When pregnant mothers are exposed to them, there is an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease.
According to a press release via EurekAlert!, previous studies have shown that smoke-free legislations have been linked to a significant drop in the number of premature births. Additionally, since the smoking bans are enforced, fewer children are being admitted to hospitals for asthma attacks and severe respiratory infections.
This study conducted by fellows at the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, Imperial College London, Erasmus University Medical Centre and Maastricht University in the Netherlands, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital in the U.S. is the first to show that smoke-free legislations are helping reduce the risk of babies dying before of shortly after birth.
University of Edinburgh Honorary Research Fellow, Dr. Jasper Been, said, "Currently, only around 18 per cent of the world's population is protected by comprehensive smoke-free laws. Accelerated action to implement smoking bans in the many countries yet to do so is likely to save considerable numbers of young lives and bring a healthier future for our unborn children."
"This study is further evidence of the potential power of smoke-free legislation to protect present and future generations from the devastating health consequences of smoking and second hand exposure to tobacco smoke," said Professor Aziz Sheikh, Co-director of the University of Edinburgh's Centre for Medical Informatics.
According to The Guardian, the smoke-free ban enacted in England on July 1, 2007 says that it is against the law to smoke in all enclosed public places and workplaces.
The places covered include offices, factories, shops, pubs, bars, restaurants and membership clubs. It also includes railway station concourses, ticket halls, footbridges, subways and platform as well as uncovered ones.
The smoke-free legislation also prohibited smoking in public transportation and work vehicles used by more than one person. Staff smoking rooms and indoor smoking areas aren't also allowed.
