Rhode Island heart attack rates go down after smoking ban

2/14/2012

In 2005, officials in the state of Rhode Island banned smoking in public places such as bars and restaurants. According to the Providence Journal, a recent study conducted by the state's health department has found that the rate of hospitalizations for heart attacks has declined by almost 30 percent in the years after the ban was imposed.

"In 2003, 35.2 people per 10,000 population were hospitalized for heart attacks. In 2009, four years after the law took effect, the rate was down to 23.1 per 10,000. That's a drop of 28.4 percent in admissions," according to the news source.

However, unlike in other states, this Rhode Island study did not find that there was a reduction in asthma rates since the ban was enacted.

The decrease in heart attack rates could be due to the fact that people smoke less when they cannot light up indoors, or it could also be attributed to fewer individuals being exposed to secondhand smoke.

According to the American Cancer Society, people who inhale secondhand smoke are being exposed to the same toxins as cigarette users. Employee wellness programs can help smokers quit the habit, reducing the chances that non-smoking workers will be exposed to toxins.

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