SCOTTSDALE, AZ -- The Mayo Clinic, one of America's most respected health research and treatment organizations, said it has completed a new study offering strong additional evidence that secondhand smoke kills and that smoke-free workplace laws save lives.
Researchers said the incidence of heart attacks and sudden cardiac deaths was cut in half among Olmsted County, MN, residents after a smoke-free ordinance took effect. Adult smoking dropped 23% during the same time frame, as the rates of other risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and obesity remained stable or increased.
The study included the first evidence that smoking bans also reduce the chances of sudden cardiac death, said Dr. Richard Hurt, director of Mayo Clinic's Nicotine Dependence Center. | SEE STUDY
According to the American Lung Association, 27 states and the District of Columbia have passed comprehensive smoke-free laws. A New York City law bans smoking in virtually all public places, including outdoor plazas and beaches.
Amusement and vending operators nationwide have reported revenue drops of as much as 30% in bars and taverns where smoking bans take effect.
SEE ALSO: 59% Of Americans Support Public Smoking Ban
