Where Smoking was Banned in Public Places, Myocardial Infarctions were Markedly Decreased!

Authors

  • Hector Anninos Evagelismos Hospital, Athens
  • Antonis S Manolis Evagelismos General Hospital, Athens

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2015/hc.v9i2.599

Keywords:

smoking, active smoking, passive smoking, secondhand smoke, smoking ban, myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndrome, morbidity, mortality

Abstract

Tobacco use is the single most important preventable health risk in the developed world. Smoking-related mortality is on the rise. Most smoking-associated deaths relate to lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and coronary heart disease. Epidemiological studies suggest that passive smoking is nearly as harmful as active. In the adult population passive smoking can cause coronary heart disease and lung cancer. Smoking ban in public places has been implemented in most countries of the Western World with a high degree of compliance. The results of several trials assessing the effectiveness of this measure in public health are encouraging, as a consistent decrease in the incidence of acute myocardial infarction has been reported for the period after the legislation. A brief overview of these data is herein provided.

Author Biography

Antonis S Manolis, Evagelismos General Hospital, Athens

Specialty: Cardiology

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Published

2014-03-28

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 2 (2014)

Section

EDITORIAL

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