In South Africa, tobacco ban relieves strain on hospitals

A five-month ban on tobacco sales in South Africa reduced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) pressure on a regional hospital emergency department by about 70%, according to a study published in the African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine.[1].

This study is the first to look at the impact of the ban on the sale of tobacco on health. For the researchers, the government's objective of protecting health and reducing pressure on health services during the pandemic has been fully achieved.

A strong impact on COPD

Between January and August 2020, the number of referrals for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at the George Regional Hospital emergency center fell by 70% compared to the same period in 2019. COPD is a chronic and disabling disease, previously known as chronic bronchitis and emphysema. These diseases are characterized by a progressive worsening leading to respiratory failure that can lead to death. However, tobacco use is by far the most common cause of COPD, and stopping it completely is the only measure capable of stopping the progression of the disease. In addition, people with COPD are at higher risk of contracting a severe and fatal form of COVID-19.

A doubly beneficial ban

In order to take into account another possible cause for the disaffection of emergency departments by patients with COPD, the researchers evaluated the evolution over the same periods of recourses for another pathology: urinary tract infections which also decreased, but by only 30%, between 2019 and 2020. Thus, the researchers conclude that the ban on the sale of tobacco largely explains this decrease in hospital visits by patients with COPD, helping to reduce the pressure on emergency departments linked to the pandemic.

Limitations of the study

This study, which highlights the likely positive role of the tobacco sales ban on hospital attendance for COPD, will deserve to be supported by other observations, taking into account the possible fear of some patients of not coming to the hospital and the sudden influx of patients with Covid-19, who may have been considered a priority for hospitalization compared to other pathologies.

©Generation Without Tobacco

[1] Saieva P, Jenkins LS. When people do not 'Zol': Reduced emergency center attendance of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease during coronavirus disease 2019 lockdown with the accompanying tobacco sales ban in South Africa. Afr J Prm Health Care Fam Med. 2021;13(1), a2750. https://doi.org/10.4102/phcfm.v13i1.2750

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