Media Health Issue

Archive for the ‘smoking’ Category

Anti-smoking campaigners have received a boost after new figures showed that the introduction of the smoking ban has significantly reduced the number of heart attacks in Britain.

The study is the first to examine the possible effects on public health that the smoking ban has since it was introduced in 2007.

The data showed that in the year following its introduction, there were 1,200 fewer heart attacks. That makes a total drop of 2.4%. The reduction has not only saved lived but has benefited the public purse, saving the NHS almost £8.4 million pounds.

The team begind the study, from the Tobacco Control Research Group at the University of Bath, believe that the measure has saved nearly 200 lives. Though they admit that the number of prevented deaths is fairly small, they believe that it is an important step forward.

Anna Gilmore, the study leader, said, “Given the large number of heart attacks in this country each year, even a relatively small reduction has important public health benefits. This study provides further evidence of the benefits of smoke-free legislation.”

The news will doubtless delight NHS health professionals, who have been endeavouring to encourage more Brits to quit smoking. They were particularly eager to encourage people to use the momentum of the ban to make a quit attempt, offering assistance from counselling to Champix to gums and patches.

Studies have repeatedly shown that people who seek assistance in their smoking cessation, whether that is psychological support or medical tools like Champix, are considerably more likely to succeed. Initially, the ban did prompt attempts to quit smoking but this does seem to be levelling off slightly.

Smoking cessation therapies are widely promoted by GPs and there have been national advertising campaigns to highlight the health benefits of giving up, some which have focused on the benefits to others.

It is thought that second-hand smoke, even a small amount, can immediately cause the blood to thicken. Other changes are prompted in the blood vessels, which when combined with the thickening of the blood can lead to heart attack-triggering blood clots.

Dr. Gilmore’s team examined data on emergency patients aged over 18 who were admitted to hospital between July 2002 and September 2008. They made adjustments to take into account factors other than the ban that could have influenced the number of admissions, such as seasonal temperate and the size of the population.

The study has been greeted very positively by the British Heart Foundation, whose spokeswoman Betty McBride said, “It’s brilliant news that an average three fewer people a day are admitted to hospital suffering a heart attack.

“What’s more, we’ll see more benefits in future because heart attacks aren’t the only way that tobacco smoke harms the heart.”