What Can Going Smoke Free Do for Our Health?
· The immediate effect that a public smoking ordinance can have on our health is documented in the Helena, Mont., Heart Attack Study, which showed a 40% drop in heart attack admissions to their local hospital during the time Helena had a public smoking ordinance. The ordinance was suspended, and the rate rebounded to its previous levels.
· Average cotinine levels (metabolized nicotine) of New York City restaurant and bar workers decreased by 85% after the city's smoke-free law went into effect.
· In New York state, the number of hospitality workers who reportedly experienced irritation of the eye, nose, and throat declined by 62%, 34%, and 45% respectively. Before the state law went into effect, 59% of hospitality workers reported respiratory symptoms, such as morning cough, shortness of breath, or bringing up phlegm. After the smoke-free law took effect, the number of workers who reportedly experienced morning cough dropped by 46%.
· Hospitality venues located in smokefree cities have, on average, 84% less indoor air pollution than restaurants, bars, pool halls, bingo parlors, and bowling alleys in cities that do not have smoke-free protection.
Sources:
1. Sargent, R. ; Shepard, R. ; Glantz, S. “Reduced incidence of admissions for myocardial infarction associated with public smoking ban: before and after study”. British Medical Journal, April 2004. Downloaded at http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/abstract/bmj.38055.715683.55v1
2. “The State of Smoke-Free New York City : A One Year Review,” New York City Department of Finance, New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, New York City Department of Small Business Services, New York City Economic Development Corporation, March 2004, Downloaded at http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/pdf/smoke/sfaa-2004report.pdf
3. RTI International, “First Annual Independent Evaluation of New York’s Tobacco Control Program,” New York State Department of Health, November 2004. Accessed on November 29, 2004. Downloaded at http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/tobacco/reports/docs/nytcp_eval_report_final_11-19-04.pdf
4. Travers, M.J.; Cummings, A.; Hyland, A.; Repace, J.; Babb, S.; Pechacek, T.; Caraballo, R., “Indoor Air Quality in Hospitality Venues Before and After Implementation of A Clean Indoor Air Law- Western New York, 2003”, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 53(44) : 1038-1041, November 12, 2004.
