Ireland: Drop In Smoking Illnesses Welcomed

Main Category: Smoking / Quit Smoking
Also Included In: Cardiovascular / Cardiology;  Stroke / Neuroprotection
Article Date: 11 Mar 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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The Irish Heart Foundation has welcomed figures that indicate public smoking bans in Europe have reduced heart attacks and heart-related strokes.

The information, published a week ago by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), showed a 15 per cent fall in patients admitted to hospital for myocardial infarction strokes in France since the ban on was imposed.

The public smoking ban was introduced there in February 2007 and received unprecedented support.

The ESC recorded an 11.2 per cent drop in acute coronary events, such as angina, in Italy where the smoking ban has entered its third year.

Irish Heart Foundation medical director Dr Brian Maurer said: "These figures are very welcome as they confirm the positive impact of smoking bans on public health."

Dr Maurer said the move had been recognised internationally as a pioneering step to reduce heart illness caused by smoking and passive smoking.

The ESC urged other European governments to take action in response to their findings by implementing smoking bans across Europe.

ESC senior cardiologist Prof Daniel Thomas, said: "The most striking aspect in this study is the reduction of pollution inside cafes and restaurants by over 75 per cent between December 2007 and January 2008."

He added, "Passive smoking has been shown to increase the risk of coronary heart disease, and the recent smoking ban is obviously having a beneficial effect on both smokers and non-smokers."

http://www.ash.org.uk