Fewer Heart Attack Deaths Post-Smoking Ban

Public Health Officials In Mass. Credit Less Secondhand Smoke

(AP)  An average of 577 fewer Massachusetts residents have died from heart attacks each year since a statewide ban on smoking in almost all restaurants, bars and workplaces took effect four years ago, according to a study released Wednesday.

The study conducted by the state Department of Public Health and the Harvard School of Public Health showed that the number of heart attacks began dropping in communities with strong anti-smoking laws even before the 2004 law. Reductions were also seen in communities after the state ban, and by the end of 2006, the rate of decline in all cities and towns had nearly converged.

The authors said the pattern shows that advances in treatment of heart attacks were not responsible for the smaller number of deaths. The study also accounted for variables including pollution, smoking prevalence and seasonality before concluding the smoking ban was the biggest factor in declining deaths.

"While there may be several factors that played a role in this decline, we believe the single most compelling reason was reduced exposure to secondhand smoke in workplaces across the state," DPH Commissioner John Auerbach said.

[grammawhamma]

Strong perfumes and colognes also trigger severe asthma attacks.

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You want to talk about deadly fumes? Go sit in an enclosed area with just one car running. When are you going to be willing to give up your form of transportation and start walking? Yeah, that''s right, I didn''t think so.

At least people have the option of avoiding second hand smoke....but unless you live in the wilderness you are forced to breath in auto exhaust. When are you going to jump on that band wagon?

[grammawhamma]

To the guy that had the heart attack after being exposed to 2nd hand smoke for 2 hours in a semi-enclosed area. I believe that you did have a heart attack...but sir, as a nurse, I''m positive it was not caused by the 2nd hand smoke.

[rf35]

I doubt the decrease was due to the smoking ban. More likely that it is another beneficial effect of global warming.

[rudy6543]

Posted by billpl at 12:42 AM

Thousands die every year due to smoking. Idiot.

[billpl-2009]

what a bunch of krapp.

if that was true, there wouldn''t be any smokers
they''d all be dead in less than a year

Anybody got a light?
Posted by Osiod9
----
Sure, where do you want me to flame you?

[clathrate]

That is probably the main "unmentioned" reason for the cause of cancer, leading to fairy tale beliefs of second-hand smoke. ----posted by Rushman71

Second hand smoke has been documented in THOUSANDS of studies to contain very harmful chemicals. Unlike the smoke you draw in when you inhale, second hand smoke isn''t even filtered, so it has a much higher tar content.

As an asthmatic, I can tell you personally that YES, second hand smoke is harmful. I''ve had several instances now of having asthma attacks so bad that even my rescue inhaler wasn''t enough and I had to go to the ER.

You are entitled to do whatever you want with your own body, but don''t expect the rest of us to tolerate it when you affect OUR health, through no choice or fault of our own. That is why I don''t have much sympathy for "smokers rights", you are asking for all of the rights and none of the responsibility, and it affects more than just you if you''d stop being so bloody self-centered.

[viscor]

I would go further than that:

Do you mind if I smoke?

No. Do you mind if I spraw nerve gas in your face?

Farts can''t kill you but smoke certainly can. :-)


"- Do you mind if I smoke?
- No. Do you mind if I f art?

Do what you like with your own lungs but don''''''''t expect me to breathe it or pay for your medical treatment. "

[troutfisher4]

Tell me, does ANYONE know of a person in their family, at work, friends--anyone--who has passed away due to the effects of second hand smoke? Probably not!!!

Posted by rushman71


My aunt died of lung cancer, after being exposed to her husbands second-hand smoke for years.

[scottyusa]

The declining heart attack rate in Mass. is probably due to mandatory health insurance. I doubt that this particular study is on the mark. These studies conducted by "experts" kill me. We use the term so loosely everyone is an expert.