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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Scots smoke ban 'improved health' | Scots smoke ban 'improved health' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The Scottish smoking ban has led to a significant advance in public health, the most detailed scientific study of the measure so far has suggested. | The Scottish smoking ban has led to a significant advance in public health, the most detailed scientific study of the measure so far has suggested. |
| Comparisons at nine hospitals revealed that there was a 17% year-on-year drop in heart attack admissions since the ban was introduced in March 2006. | Comparisons at nine hospitals revealed that there was a 17% year-on-year drop in heart attack admissions since the ban was introduced in March 2006. |
| It says the quality of air in pubs is now equivalent to that found outdoors. | It says the quality of air in pubs is now equivalent to that found outdoors. |
| Exposure to second-hand smoke north of the border is down by 40% among adults and children, the study added. | Exposure to second-hand smoke north of the border is down by 40% among adults and children, the study added. |
| Scotland's deputy chief medical officer, Professor Peter Donnelly, said this was proof that the ban has produced major health gains. | |
| The primary aim of smoking bans is to protect non smokers from the effects of passive smoking Professor Jill Pell | |
| But Scottish publicans claim that many of the benefits could have been achieved without a ban and complain that bar sales have declined because of it. | But Scottish publicans claim that many of the benefits could have been achieved without a ban and complain that bar sales have declined because of it. |
| Professor Jill Pell, who headed the research team which made the findings, said: "The primary aim of smoking bans is to protect non smokers from the effects of passive smoking. | |
| "Previous studies have not been able to confirm whether or not that has been achieved. What we were able to show is that among people who are non-smokers there was a 20% reduction in heart attack admissions. | |
| "This confirms that the legislation has been effective in helping non-smokers." | |
| Routine data | |
| The findings will be presented to an international conference in Edinburgh on the ban organised by the Scottish Government. | The findings will be presented to an international conference in Edinburgh on the ban organised by the Scottish Government. |
| They are based on scientific evidence collected from routine health data, as well as research projects undertaken by government scientists and Scottish universities. | They are based on scientific evidence collected from routine health data, as well as research projects undertaken by government scientists and Scottish universities. |
| Admissions to nine major Scottish hospitals were also compared in the year before and after the introduction of the ban. | Admissions to nine major Scottish hospitals were also compared in the year before and after the introduction of the ban. |
| After the Scotland banned smoking in enclosed public spaces, Wales and Northern Ireland followed suit in April 2007 and England did the same in July 2007. | After the Scotland banned smoking in enclosed public spaces, Wales and Northern Ireland followed suit in April 2007 and England did the same in July 2007. |