Smoking Ban Could Reduce The Risk Of Heart Disease Claim New Studies

Main Category: Heart Disease
Also Included In: Smoking / Quit Smoking;  Cardiovascular / Cardiology
Article Date: 24 Sep 2009 - 1:00 PDT

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Two new studies have found that the number of heart attacks has fallen by up to a third in countries where bans on smoking in public places have been introduced.

Smoking in pubs, restaurants and other public spaces was banned in England and Wales in July 2007, a year after similar laws were introduced in Scotland. The Scottish ban led to a 14 per cent fall in the number of people being admitted to hospital with a heart attack the following year.

Smoking harmful to everyone's health

Libby Dowling, Care Advisor at Diabetes UK, said: "Diabetes UK supports the smoking ban and we are pleased to hear that it may reduce the number of heart attacks by more than a third in countries where it is implemented.

People with diabetes at increased risk

"Smoking is harmful to everyone's health, and in particular to the 2.5 million people with diabetes in the UK. People with the condition are already at increased risk of heart disease, stroke and other circulatory problems. Smoking doubles the risk of these problems.

"We encourage and support people with diabetes to give up smoking."

Fewer heart attacks predicted

The reviews, which draw on published studies from the US, Canada, France, Italy, Ireland and Scotland, suggest heart attacks in Britain will fall even further over the next two years.

Source
Diabetes UK