Research claims cut in teenage girls taking up smoking
A Liverpool charity is welcome new research that claims smoking bans across the UK could have reduced the number of teenage girls who are taking up the habit.
A Liverpool charity is welcome new research that claims smoking bans across the UK could have reduced the number of teenage girls who are taking up the habit.
A new study has found that the ban on smoking indoors has had an impact on the number of girls aged 15 who have been taking up smoking.
The ban in all enclosed public places and workplaces, including bars, restaurants and public transportation was introduced in England in July 2007.
Researchers from Universities in Glasgow, Stirling and the Welsh Government looked into smoking numbers among 13 and 15 year old boys and girls from all four countries of the UK.
From questionnaires, completed by teenagers, they were able to monitor trends over a number of years.
Dr Vittal Katikireddi, lead author of the paper said "The results demonstrate a fairly big change in the number of young people starting smoking - particularly in girls." For 15-year-old girls in England the smoking rate reduced from 24% to 19% after the legislation. Of course, the smoking bans are quite recent; the longer term impact could be even greater.''
Commenting on the study - Lisa Williams from the Roy Castle Lung Foundation in Liverpool said:
"It's really positive news to hear the news today. The ban in 2007 has had a positive impact upon de - normalising smoking in public p;aces for children & young people"
"I think there's other legislation that helped along the way. Reducing adult prevalence has also helped, children are less exposed in their home environment, so it's really positive steps in the right direction."