Childhood asthma hospitalizations drop following smoking ban, study finds

Hospital admissions for asthma in children Under-fives have fallen in Scotland in the two years since legislation banned smoking in vehicles in the presence of young people, according to a new study.

A law entered into force in Scotland in December 2016, which banned smoking in a vehicle carrying a person under the age of 18.

Research conducted by the University of Glasgow, in collaboration with the Universities of Aberdeen and Stirling, looked at data on all emergency hospital admissions for asthma in Scotland between 2000 and 2018 for children under 16 years old.

Researchers found that after the smoke-free vehicle legislation was passed, hospital admissions for asthma declined 1.49% per month among preschoolers, but not older children. aged.

The study also shows that hospital admissions decreased significantly among children living in wealthier areas (by 2.27% per month) but not among those living in poorer areas.

There has been no change in hospital admissions for other respiratory conditions or gastroenteritis as a result of the legislation.

Professor Jill Pell, lead author from the University of Glasgow, said: “Our study demonstrates the significant benefits for children of smoke-free vehicle legislation.

“We found that the reduction in asthma hospitalizations was specific to preschoolers, which is plausible given that parental smoke exposure is more likely in preschoolers, who spend more than time with their parents.

“Our results also suggest a possible widening of health inequalities, with the relative reduction in hospitalizations for childhood asthma being greater among people living in wealthier areas.

“It could be due to different starting points or differences in car ownership or compliance with the law; but deserves further research.

The exposure of preschoolers to second-hand smoke is believed to be primarily due to parental smoking in the home or in family vehicles.

Globally, exposure to second-hand smoke is believed to be responsible for around 169,000 child deaths each year.

During the 19-year study period (January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2018), there were 32,342 emergency hospital admissions for asthma in children under 16 years of age.

Of these, 13,954 (43%) concerned children under five and 18,388 (57%) young people aged five to 15.

Of the children admitted to hospital, 10,179, almost a third (31%) lived in neighborhoods in the poorest quintile while 4,046 (13%) lived in the wealthiest quintile.

The researchers also took into account that in Scotland hospital admissions for childhood asthma had already declined due to 2006 legislation banning smoking in public places.

Estimates of the percentage of childhood asthma attributable to exposure to second-hand smoke range from 1.3% to 8.2%.

Exposure to second-hand smoke also increases the risk of exacerbating asthma symptoms in young children who already have asthma.

The study, Impact of smoke-free vehicle legislation on child hospitalizations for asthma: an interrupted time-series analysis of Scottish data over 19 years, is published in Lancet Public Health.

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