A year ago yesterday, the United Kingdom adopted a sweeping smoking ban that restricted people from lighting up in virtually all enclosed public locations, including previously allowed indoor smoking areas.

First of its kind in the world, the Smoking Toolkit Study looked specifically at the impact this smoke-free legislation had on smoking rates in the community. The results of the study were presented this week at the 2008 UK National Smoking Cessation Conference, held in Birmingham, England.

Study Highlights:

• 400,000 people have quit smoking in the year since the ban was enacted.

• Interviews with more than 32,000 current and ex-smokers revealed that during the nine months prior to the start of the ban on July 1, 2007, smoking rates dropped by 1.6%.

• During the nine months following the ban, interviews indicated smoking rates fell by 5.5%.

• It's estimated that as many as 40,000 lives will be saved in the next 10 years due to this smoke-free legislation.

The UK smoking ban is a shining example of how anti-smoking measures taken at a governmental level save lives. If we are to stem the tide of death that is predicted worldwide due to tobacco use over the course of this century, smoking bans of this kind must be adopted by all nations, especially those where anti-smoking legislation is minimal or non-existent.

• Smoking Ban Spurs 400,000 People to Quit the Habit

Poll Questions:

Should smoking be banned in bars/pubs?

1) Yes
2) No
3) Undecided

Should smoking be banned in restaurants?

1) Yes
2) No
3) Provide a designated smoking area

How do you feel about prohibiting smoking in outdoor areas like parks and playgrounds?

1) Yes
2) No
3) Undecided

_{Image: © Stockxpert}

According to the American Diabetes Association, smokers who have diabetes carry three times the risk of dying of cardiovascular disease as their nonsmoking counterparts. Smoking and diabetes are both hard on the heart, and to make matters worse, smoking is also a risk factor for type 2 diabetes.

• Smoking and Diabetes: A Deadly Combination

Jim's Journey

A new monthly series at the About.com Diabetes site follows Jim, a 61 year old man who was recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

Jim wants to lose some weight, and has made the commitment to start a diet and exercise regimen in an effort get his diabetes under control. Jim also smokes, and while he doesn't have a plan in place to stop smoking yet, he did quit recently for several months. Hopefully he'll decide to give it a try again soon.

Jim has generously offered to report in once a month on his progress over the coming year so that those of us who face similar challenges might learn from his experience and be inspired to make lasting improvements in our own lives.

Jim's journey began in May, and he's just reported in after his first full month on the new plan.

• Jim's Journey - May

• Jim's Journey - June

_{Photo © Jim}