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Secondhand Smoke
Research
Study supports health benefits of smoking ban
A recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that smoking bans have positive effects on cardiovascular health that extend to nonsmokers. Researchers found a 17% overall drop in hospital admissions for heart attacks and acute coronary events following a 2006 smoking ban, with 67% of that reduction in hospitalizations seen in nonsmokers. The ability of this study to demonstrate the effects of secondhand smoke is especially strong because researchers tested the patients’ blood and saliva for cotinine, a nicotine byproduct, as they were admitted to hospitals. The tests showed that the hospitalized nonsmokers had higher cotinine levels than the general population, which shows that smoke was affecting their health. However, their cotinine levels were lower after the smoking ban, indicating that the ban had improved air quality. Click here for more information, or click here to view the abstract of the study.
Study: ER visits for asthma drop after Lexington smoking ban (KY)
To determine the health effects of Lexington, Kentucky’s public smoking ban, researchers compared the number of asthma-related emergency room visits before and after the ban in four area hospitals. They found that when the 2004 ban was implemented, the number of asthma-related ER visits dropped by 22%. Although the study design does not allow researchers to draw conclusions about a cause-and-effect relationship, there was a statistically significant difference in the number of asthma-related ER visits before and after the ban. The decline in hospital visits was larger among adults 20 years and older than among individuals under 20. Click here for more information, or click here to read the abstract of the research article published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
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Reports
5 West Virginia park lodges to become smoke free in 2009 (WV)
Due to high demand for smokefree lodging, five of the eight state-run lodges in West Virginia parks are expected to go smoke-free by next year. Although West Virginia’s smoking prevalence is consistently among the highest in the U.S., it seems that smoke-free indoor air is becoming more desirable. According to an administrator for the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, the goal is to eventually make all state-run lodges smoke-free. The decision to ban smoking in the lodges is part of a national trend, smoke-free accommodations growing in popularity. Click here to read more.
North Texas neighborhood bans smoking (TX)
Monterra Village, an apartment complex in suburban Fort Worth, will become the first major housing development in North Texas to prohibit smoking. Residents and visitors cannot smoke anywhere in the development of 1000 residences, including inside vehicles. Violators of the policy risk eviction. Nationally, smoke-free multi-unit housing is still rare. According to the developers, building smoke-free neighborhoods is cost effective; since walls and carpets are not damaged by smoke, less maintenance and cleanup is needed between renters. For more details on Monterra Village, click here.
Site warns of smoking hazards (ND)
Twenty eight public health groups in North Dakota have recently launched the BreatheND coalition, which brings together resources and information to educate state residents on the dangers of secondhand smoke. The group is using broadcast and print ads, as well as the website www.breathend.com, to educate the public and to gather support for the coalition. The Public Education on Tobacco Task Force raised $100,000 to launch the website and fund other health education initiatives. According to data presented by BreatheND, North Dakota brings in $22 million in cigarette tax revenue yearly, but pays out $437 million in medical costs and lost productivity expenses due to smoking. Find out more here, or click here to navigate to the BreatheND website.
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