Health Benefits of Smoking Bans
It has long been known that active smoking increases the risk of heart disease by 2-3 fold, increases risk of lung cancer by about 10 fold, increases risk of many other forms of cancer and significantly increases risk of respiratory diseases like asthma, emphysema and bronchitis. Active smoking has also been associated with increased risk of eye problems, strokes, circulation problems, sexual impotence in men and risk of premature birth and/or birth defects in women. Back and knee injuries, surgical injuries and skin ulcers also heal significantly more slowly in smokers versus non smokers. In addition, smoking causes about 80,000 building fires and 800 fire related human deaths annually in the USA.
Second hand or passive smoke also poses major health risks. Analysis of 10 worldwide studies reported that non-smokers married to a smoker have a 30% increased risk of heart attacks as opposed to spouses not exposed to second hand smoke (results statistically significant- from Glantz et al. Circulation January 1991;83(1):1-12). Other studies have linked exposure of second hand (passive) smoke to significantly higher rates of adult and childhood asthma, higher rates of respiratory infections like flu and pneumonia and higher rates of ear infections (otitis media) in children.
The recognition of the major health risks to both active and passive smoking have led many communities to ban smoking in public places like workplaces, government buildings, restaurants, stores, sports stadiums and religious buildings. Such bans on public smoking can have great public health benefits.
A recent Kentucky study reported that following a public smoking ban in Lexington-Fayette County, Kentucky, asthma related hospital admissions fell by 22% (results statistically significant- from Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology September 2008; 122(3):537-41). Another analysis of 10 studies of public smoking bans reported that community heart attacks rates were cut by an average of 17% (results again statistically significant- from Journal of the American College of Cardiology, September 29, 2009; 54(14):1249-55).
Other studies have reported that smoking bans have not adversely affected business in restaurants and bars. Some workers and patrons in formerly smoking establishments have stated that public smoking bans have helped them quit smoking. Public smoking bans are an excellent way to reduce smoking among smokers and reduce second hand smoke exposure in non smokers. I urge citizens to contact their newspapers, radio/TV and public officials to demand more public smoking bans.