Following a complete ban on smoking, the number of child deaths in Brazil has decreased

According to researchers, the strengthening of the legislation on the ban on smoking in Brazil between 2000 and 2016 has prevented more than 15,000 deaths of children under 1 year.

New research published today on the occasion of the World No Tobacco Day of the World Health Organization, in the newspaper Tobacco control, shows that the number of child deaths in Brazil has decreased as a result of a total ban on smoking in public places.

Exposure to smoke and death of children

The new study conducted by Imperial College London, the Brazilian National Cancer Institute (INCA) and the Erasmus Medical Center in the Netherlands is the first to badyze the impact of different types of infections. Smoking bans on the health of children in a middle-income country. The authors argue that governments in other countries should take action to strengthen anti-smoking legislation to protect the lives of children.

Children are particularly affected by exposure to smoke. In the uterus, this affects the development of the fetus and can increase the risk of preterm birth or low birth weight. Infants and children exposed to second-hand smoke have a higher risk of respiratory infections, asthma and sudden infant death.

Dr. Andre Szklo, of the Brazilian National Cancer Institute, said: "Children have the right to be protected from the harmful effects of smoking. We call on governments around the world to adopt comprehensive smoke-free laws to protect the health of children. "

Implementation of the ban on smoking

In 2014, Brazil implemented comprehensive smoke-free legislation throughout the country, banning smoking in all partially or totally closed public places, including bars and restaurants.

The study showed that this was badociated with a 5.2% reduction in infant mortality and a 3.4% reduction in neonatal mortality, after taking into account underlying trends and trends. other factors that may affect the health of children.

The researchers also found that complete bans were more effective than partial bans in reducing infant deaths. Prior to 2014, 17 states in Brazil had partial prohibitions (for example, smoking rooms and smoking in partially closed restaurants and bars) and nine full bans, covering all partially or fully enclosed public spaces.

Partial legislation was badociated with a 3.3% reduction in infant mortality, but no significant change in neonatal mortality.

Scientists believe that smoking bans reduce child mortality by reducing the incidence of health problems directly related to exposure to smoke or cigarettes during pregnancy, such as sudden death syndrome. infant and respiratory infections.

Dr. Thomas Hone, lead author of the study at the School of Public Health at Imperial College London, said: "The example of Brazil shows how much we can change the health of children by totally banning smoke in public places. Unfortunately, most people on the planet are still not covered by complete smoking bans. It is appalling that so many babies and children are suffering from second-hand smoke whereas a relatively simple measure could help prevent this. "

To reach their conclusions, the researchers examined data on all live births, infant deaths and neonatal deaths in Brazil between 2000 and 2016.