Smoke ban cuts emergency toll from asthma

Numbers of asthma sufferers needing emergency treatment in England have fallen by 1,900 a year following the 2007 ban.

Experts at Bath University, who carried out the analysis, say the study provides further evidence for smoke-free policies.

Emily Humphreys, of the charity Asthma UK, said: “By taking action to reduce asthma triggers, we can prevent asthma attacks that can lead to hospitalisation and even death. However, more still needs to be done to prevent attacks, which kill three people each day in the UK.”

About one in 17 people have asthma in England, one of the highest rates in the world.