Smoking Ban Lowers Hospital Admissions

tidbits that tantalizeReally - This Is Bad For You?

Isn't it lovely to see science verify common sense?

We all know that smoking is bad for you. Bad for the heart, the lungs, the circulation, the breath... Even smokers know it's bad for them, and constantly lament their lack of ability to quit.

But, what if they really could muster up the nerve and snuff out the puff? Would it really make a difference?

Well, research out of New York says yes - it would make a huge difference. A measurable difference, at that.

The New York State Department of Health analyzed hospital admission data from 1995 through 2004. They were interested to see if the statewide smoking ban instituted in 2003 had shown a measurable effect - particularly in terms of admissions for heart attacks and strokes. The results are quite encouraging.

During 2004, the first full year of the comprehensive smoking ban, the researchers found there were 3,800 fewer hospital admissions for acute myocardial infarctions (heart attacks). This is fabulous news. No difference was found in the rate of admissions for stroke.

So, go ahead. Sit back, relax, and wait for the next science and common sense collaboration. A new study will soon show that quitting smoking improves energy, helps you breath better, and brightens the teeth - and, of course, does wonders for bad breath.

To read more about the study, see this from ScienceDaily. To find resources to help you stop smoking, see this from smokefree.gov.