This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
20 per cent decrease in UK heart disease deaths since indoor smoking ban
Deaths from heart disease and strokes caused by smoking have declined dramatically since indoor venues went smoke-free 10 years ago.
Figures released have shown that the amount of smokers aged 35 and over dying from heart attacks and other conditions of the heart has dropped by over 20 per cent since 2007 while fatalities from a stroke are almost 14 per cent down.
The statistics come as medical, public health and anti-tobacco groups plan to mark the 10th anniversary of smoking being prohibited in indoor public places by Tony Blair’s Labour government. They were founded by Public Health England (PHE) and shared with the Guardian.
Figures collected show that there was a 20.8 per cent fall between 2007-09 and 2013-15. Additionally, a total of 9,743 smokers died from a stroke in 2007-09, but 8,334 between 2013-15, demonstrating a drop of 14.5 per cent.
Duncan Selfie, PHE’s chief executive, said: “The law has played a key part in the huge cultural change we have seen in the past decade, especially among younger people, a change that has literally saved thousands from disabling chronic diseases and premature death.
“The smoke-free legislation has been extraordinary in the way we now experience and enjoy pubs, clubs, restaurants and so many other public places. It was undoubtedly the single most important public health reform in generations.”
Deborah Arnott, chief executive of the charity Action on Smoking and Health, added: “The decline in deaths since 2007 from smoking-related heart attacks and strokes shows the effectiveness of a comprehensive approach by government to tackle smoking.
“But there are still over 30,000 premature deaths a year from smoking-related heart attacks and stroke, and the government strategy for tackling this public health epidemic expired at the end of 2015. We need an ambitious new government strategy to be put in place immediately if deaths from smoking are to decline as fast in the next decade as they have in the last.”
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