What's the effect of smoke-free legislation on kids' health?

Smoke-free legislation improves perinatal and child health outcomes. A review and meta-analysis of 11 studies (5 North American and 6 European) of the effect of smoke-free legislation on perinatal and child health found that these laws are associated with a 10% reduction in both preterm birth and hospital admissions for asthma. The analysis also revealed reductions in the risk of being born very small for gestational age (Been JV, et al. Lancet. 2014;383[9928]:1549-1560).

MS FREEDMAN is a freelance medical editor and writer in New Jersey. She has nothing to disclose in regard to affiliations with or financial interests in any organizations that may have an interest in any part of this article.