BMJ  2004;328:1379-1380 (5 June), doi:10.1136/bmj.328.7452.1379-c

Letter

Effect of public smoking ban in Helena, Montana

Can law really make a difference?

EDITOR—In the study by Sargent et al conducted at Helena, Montana, admissions in people with acute myocardial infarction during the smoking ban seem to have fallen, implying the possible effects of smoking on the heart.¹ What is more distressing, however, is that, despite the general awareness of the ill effects of smoking, people petitioned for the ban to be removed within six months. The effect of nicotine was a stronger driving force than the law.

Although the number of admissions fell, several factors should be considered. The first is the number of cases that were actually exposed to smoke both actively and passively in the control and study groups. The second is whether patients with premorbid conditions were comparable in both groups. The third is whether the study numbers are really representative of a much larger population.

The study does offer a ray of hope that if more definite and extensive studies show significant outcomes, the reality of having a wider ban on smoking may be possible to make a difference for non-smokers.

Kettering General Hospital, Kettering, Northamptonshire NN16 8UZ drssurin{at}yahoo.com

---

Competing interests: None declared.

References

1. Sargent RP, Shepard RM, Glantz SA. Reduced incidence of admissions for myocardial infraction associated with public smoking ban: before and after study [with commentary by T Pechacek and S Babb]. BMJ 2004;328: 980. (24 April.)[Abstract/Free Full Text]

Related Articles

How acute and reversible are the cardiovascular risks of secondhand smoke?

Terry F Pechacek and Stephen Babb
BMJ 2004 328: 980-983. [Full Text] [PDF]

Reduced incidence of admissions for myocardial infarction associated with public smoking ban: before and after study

Richard P Sargent, Robert M Shepard, and Stanton A Glantz
BMJ 2004 328: 977-980. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]