Smoke-free laws associated with 1,200 fewer heart attacks

The smoke-free laws passed in England have been credited by new research for a reduction in the number of heart attacks.

According to a study published on the British Medical Journal website, there were 1,200 fewer emergency heart attack hospital admissions during the 12 month period after the introduction of smoke-free regulations in public areas.

The researchers analysed the impact of the laws in England, which were introduced on July 1st 2007, by collecting data on emergency hospital admissions for patients aged 18 or older from July 2002 to September 2008.

They subsequently compared the records for the five years before the introduction of smoke-free laws to the period after legislation came into force.

Dr Anna Gilmore from the University of Bath, who led the research, said although the reduction is relatively small, it may still have “important public health benefits”.

Deborah Arnott, chief executive of public health charity ASH, welcomed the research, added that the anti-smoking legislation has also played a part in changing attitudes towards smoking in the home.