Indoor smoking bans reduce heart attacks

Second-hand smoke is dangerous. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, nonsmokers breathing the haze potentially face a 30 percent increased risk for developing heart disease and lung cancer.

A new study released today bolsters the credibility of indoor smoking bans. It's no joke, the bans are significantly reducing heart attacks. The state of New York had an 8 percent drop in heart attacks after their Clean Indoor Act passed in 2003. Dr. Michael Seigel at Boston University criticized the results, stating the decline in heart attacks could have been happening nationwide -- data needs to be assessed from every state to attribute it to indoor smoking bans.

An earlier study in Helena, Montana found a 40 percent drop in heart attacks after an indoor smoking ban went into effect. Interestingly, heart attack rates returned to previous levels after the ban was lifted. Only 22 states have indoor smoking bans. Smokers -- please stop lighting up indoors!