New research by the Institute of Health and Wellbeing at Glasgow University suggests a link between a reduction in the number of premature and low birth weight babies in Scotland and the introduction of the smoking ban in public places in 2006. The study shows that the number of pregnant women who smoked fell from 25.4 per cent to 18.8 per cent following the start of the ban. The research also showed that the number of pre-term deliveries (babies born before 37 weeks) fell by 10 per cent, there was a 5 per cent fall in babies born small for gestational size and an 8 per cent decrease in the number of infants born very small.
For more information see the comment from Sheila Duffy, chief executive of ASH Scotland, in the Scotsman today.