Philosophy Wire by Spiros Kakos [2013-01-22]: There was a sharp fall in the number of children admitted to hospital with severe asthma after smoke-free legislation was introduced in England, say researchers. A study showed a 12% drop in the first year after the law to stop smoking in enclosed public places came into force.The authors say there is growing evidence that many people are opting for smoke-free homes as well. [source: BBC News] Mark my words: after some years people will attribute these news to the “progress” of medicine, in the same way people attribute the reduced mortality rate of the 18th century to medicine as well (which is in fact attributed to sanitation and the better health conditions which at the time people started to have). Finding connections where none exists is a favourite game of scientism lovers…(c) Philosophy WIRES - Commenting world news from philosophy's perspective...
