REGULAR RANTS

Smoking Ban Reduces Heart Attacks

A reduction of smoking does lead to a reduction of the incidence of heart attacks.  This is noted in Pueblo, Colorado where a 2003 law banning smoking in workplaces and public places has led to a halving of the numbers of heart attacks.  In the 18 months before the smoking ban was in force, the number of hospital admissions for heart attacks was 399, while for the 18 months after the ban the number of hospital admissions for heart attacks was 291, a drop of 27%.  Hospital admissions during the same period in a neighboring county (El Paso County) which had no smoking ban were used for comparison, and this showed no significant drop during the same period.

These reported study would have had more impact on people’s smoking habits if, according to some observers, the conclusions of the study had some scientific basis.  Apparently quite a few anti-smoking lobbies have utilised the results of the study to come to some not-so-scientific conclusions for the use of their anti-smoking campaigns.  This has come under criticism as it serves to reduce the credibility of the anti-smoking lobby.