Report: Smoking Bans Curb Heart Attacks

Bans on smoking in public places reduce heart attack rates. That’s the conclusion of a new report from the Institute of Medicine. The institute is an independent group of experts that advises the U.S. government. The experts looked at 11 studies from the United States, Canada, Italy and Scotland. They found that heart attack rates dropped after smoking bans in restaurants and other public places took effect. The reduction ranged from 6% to 47%. Smoking and secondhand smoke release tiny particles of air pollution. Smoke can damage blood vessels and promote formation of blood clots that cause heart attacks. The Associated Press wrote about the report October 15.