Socioeconomic differentials in the immediate mortality effects of the national Irish smoking ban
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Published Version
Additional File 1: Figure S1.
Date
2014
Authors
Stallings-Smith, Sericea
Goodman, Pat
Kabir, Zubair
Clancy, Luke
Zeka, Ariana
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Public Library of Science
Published Version
Abstract
Background: Consistent evidence has demonstrated that smoking ban policies save lives, but impacts on health inequalities are uncertain as few studies have assessed post-ban effects by socioeconomic status (SES) and findings have been inconsistent. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of the national Irish smoking ban on ischemic heart disease (IHD), stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) mortality by discrete and composite SES indicators to determine impacts on inequalities. Methods: Census data were used to assign frequencies of structural and material SES indicators to 34 local authorities across Ireland with a 2000-2010 study period. Discrete indicators were jointly analysed through principal component analysis to generate a composite index, with sensitivity analyses conducted by varying the included indicators. Poisson regression with interrupted time-series analysis was conducted to examine monthly age and gender-standardised mortality rates in the Irish population, ages >= 35 years, stratified by tertiles of SES indicators. All models were adjusted for time trend, season, influenza, and smoking prevalence. Results: Post-ban mortality reductions by structural SES indicators were concentrated in the most deprived tertile for all causes of death, while reductions by material SES indicators were more equitable across SES tertiles. The composite indices mirrored the results of the discrete indicators, demonstrating that post-ban mortality decreases were either greater or similar in the most deprived when compared to the least deprived for all causes of death. Conclusions: Overall findings indicated that the national Irish smoking ban reduced inequalities in smoking-related mortality. Due to the higher rates of smoking-related mortality in the most deprived group, even equitable reductions across SES tertiles resulted in decreases in inequalities. The choice of SES indicator was influential in the measurement of effects, underscoring that a differentiated analytical approach aided in understanding the complexities in which structural and material factors influence mortality.
Description
Keywords
Secondhand smoke , Childhood asthma , Social class , Hospital admissions , Free legislation , Housing tenure , Heart disease , Health survey , Car access , Inequalities
Citation
Stallings-Smith S, Goodman P, Kabir Z, Clancy L, Zeka A (2014) Socioeconomic Differentials in the Immediate Mortality Effects of the National Irish Smoking Ban. PLoS ONE 9(6): e98617. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0098617