Smoking bans may reduce heart disease risk: study

Dublin – Recent research shows that smoking bans appear to be having a positive health effect, helping to reduce heart disease among smokers and non-smokers alike.

Researchers from University College Dublin analyzed 44 observational studies from around the globe to examine the relationship between smoking legislation and heart disease. Of the 44 studies, 33 showed evidence of “a significant reduction” in heart disease after smoking bans took effect. Researchers said non-smokers had the sharpest reduction in admissions for heart disease.

In the summary of the study, the researchers said smoking bans offer proven benefits. Secondhand smoke includes more than 7,000 chemicals – approximately 70 of which may cause cancer, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“There is evidence that countries and their populations benefit from improved health after introducing smoking bans, importantly to do with the heart and blood vessels,” the researchers wrote. “We found evidence of reduced deaths. The impact of bans on respiratory health, on the health of newborn children, and on reducing the number of smokers and their cigarette use is not as clear, with some studies not detecting any reduction.”

The study was published in the Cochrane Library.