A ban on smoking in pubs, restaurants, shops, workplaces etc. took effect on July 1st in England - on July 1st, Australia, which has been at the forefront of a near-global push for smoking bans for over a decade, saw a smoking ban take effect at pubs and clubs in two of Australia's most populous states.  Ireland and other European countries have banned smoking indoors - while some parts of Canada and a number of US States have strict controls.

How does this effect people with Epilepsy?

There are, as with most things, differing opinions on the subject of smoking and epilepsy - the Epilepsy Organisation of Australia says:

"Nicotine is both a stimulant and a depressant to the central nervous system, there is no evidence to suggest that smoking cigarettes or cigars can trigger seizures in people with epilepsy"

Wyoming Epilepsy Organisation says - "Smoking cigarettes can also trigger seizures. The nicotine in cigarettes acts on receptors for the excitatory neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the brain, which increases neuronal firing".

There is however a warning from the Epilepsy Organisation of Australia who say;