New Institute of Medicine Report Confirms Smoke-Free Laws Reduce Risk of Heart Attacks Due to Secondhand Smoke
WASHINGTON, D.C. – October 15, 2009 – A new report released today by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) confirms that smoke-free laws are effective at reducing the risks of heart attacks and heart disease due to curbed exposure to secondhand smoke. The IOM Report, Secondhand Smoke Exposure and Cardiovascular Effects: Making Sense of the Evidence, also concludes that there is a causal relationship between secondhand smoke exposure and acute coronary events.
"The report confirms beyond a doubt what we have always known – that smoke-free laws are the most effective way to reduce health problems associated with secondhand smoke," said John R. Seffrin, PhD, CEO of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). "We will aggressively continue smoke-free campaigns until all American workers can make a living without risking their health, patrons and tourists can enjoy time out without the hazards of secondhand smoke, and bar and restaurants have fewer employees fall ill from working in a smoky environment."
The report shows that smoke-free laws can reduce the incidents of heart attacks anywhere from 6 to 47 percent. The reduction varies based on the types of venues covered by the laws and the compliance with and enforcement of the bans. In addition, the report found that breathing secondhand smoke can increase the risk of heart problems by 25 to 30 percent. IOM also concluded that it is biologically plausible that a relatively brief exposure (under one hour) to secondhand smoke can set off an acute coronary event, such as a heart attack.
The 2006 U.S. Surgeon General’s Report, The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke, confirmed that there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke. The IOM study took the 2006 findings a step further and examined the effectiveness of smoking bans in reducing heart problems.
"Smoke-free laws and other tobacco control policies are crucial to reversing the trend that has made smoking the leading preventable cause of death in this country," said Daniel E. Smith, president of ACS CAN. "Secondhand smoke is a major health hazard, proven to cause lung cancer, heart disease and emphysema. With 4,000 chemicals and more than 60 carcinogens – including arsenic and polonium – secondhand smoke is responsible for an estimated 3,000 lung cancer deaths in nonsmoking adults each year."
Currently, 31 states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico require 100 percent smoke-free workplaces and/or restaurants and/or bars. Additionally, more than 3,000 municipalities have local laws in effect that restrict where smoking is permitted. Combined, this represents more than two-thirds of the U.S. population. In 2010, restaurants and bars in North Carolina will be smoke-free, as will all workplaces, restaurants and bars in Wisconsin.
ACS CAN is conducting aggressive grassroots campaigns to make passage of strong, comprehensive smoke-free laws a priority.
ACS CAN, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, supports evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. ACS CAN works to encourage elected officials and candidates to make cancer a top national priority. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer with the training and tools they need to make their voices heard. For more information, visit
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