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Researchers who analyzed studies of smoking ban and its effect on the rate of heart attacks revealed that in communities in America, Canada, and Europe where smoking ban was implemented, a 17% decline in heart attack rate was noted after a year.

Compared to those without smoking restrictions, communities enforcing smoking ban achieved 36% reduction of heart attacks after a three year period. The decrease in heart attacks in time was reported in the journal Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

The findings are consistent with the American Heart Association's Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics 2009 data that non-smokers subjected to secondhand smoke at home or in the workplace have a 25 to 30 percent higher chance of contracting heart disease. This adverse effect of smoking do not include respiratory diseases that are linked with the habit.

"This study adds to the already strong evidence that secondhand smoke causes heart attacks, and that passing 100 percent smoke-free laws in all workplaces and public places is something we can do to protect the public,…Now we have a better understanding of how you can predict what will happen if you impose a smoking-free law."--- James M. Lightwood, Ph.D., adjunct professor, Department of Clinical Pharmacy at the University of California-San Francisco. www. consumeraffairs.com ( 09/22/09, Limback, J.) (Photo Credit: cbc.ca) =0=

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