Monday, August 25, 2008

The Impact of Smoke Free Air

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080814/NEWS01/808140397
A recent study completed by the University of Kentucky found that the number of ER visits for asthma related causes decreased by 22 percent after the city of Lexington passed a comprehensive smoke free air law. This study is significant because it further highlights the harmful effects that secondhand smoke has on the human body and the impact smoke free air laws have on the healthcare system. This research relates to the study completed by Indiana University, which found that after Monroe County’s comprehensive smoke free indoor air law was passed, the number of hospital admissions for heart attacks decreased by 59 percent. http://newsinfo.iu.edu/news/page/print/5610.html

Imagine what could happen here in Indianapolis if we went completely smoke free? Reduced heart attacks, decreased asthma emergencies, fewer smokers, the possibilities are endless…

1 comment:

LOLA said...

I think many people forget about asthma. But everyone knows someone who has it. While cancer or even heart disease may seem like far away issues for the aged, asthma strikes the young disproportianately. The fear of not being able to breathe and ones throat's closing in on them may lead consumers or customers already diagnosed to not go someplace. For those that work at a smokey restaurant or bar, however, unless they have been warned by a doctor, I am sure they feel safe. Many people are probabaly in denial or believe the lies that secondhand smoke is harmelss.what matters to the worker is how much they can make, how many hours they work, if there are any benefits, how far aways from home it is etc... If it was clear that working there could harm them or kill them , I beleive people would think twice. But the Tobacco industry is so bent on disinformation that people want to beleive it.