Posted on 05/09/2006 9:22:14 PM PDT by LouAvul
Eliminating the threat of secondhand smoke would prevent more than 228,000 new cases of heart disease and 119,000 heart-related deaths over the next 25 years, according to a new study.
Using a model to estimate the impact of eliminating exposure to secondhand smoke on heart disease, researchers found stopping secondhand smoke would quickly reduce the number of heart-related deaths. This effect would increase over time, adding up to hundreds of thousands of preventable heart attacks and other problems.
National surveys suggest that 4 percent to 17 percent of the nonsmoking population (depending on age and sex) are exposed to secondhand smoke at home, work, or at play.
Estimating the Impact of Secondhand Smoke
Researchers say current estimates show that average daily exposure to secondhand smoke among exposed individuals is equivalent to smoking one cigarette per day; that conveys about one-third of the additional risk of heart disease associated with smoking a pack a day.
Based on those estimates, researchers calculated the effects of eliminating exposure to secondhand smoke in 2005 over the next 25 years in the U.S.
Their results show that:
--New cases of heart disease would be reduced by 9,300 in the first year, adding up to 228,300 cases prevented by 2030.
--The number of heart attacks reported would be reduced by 8,100 in the first year and increase to 13,500 per year by 2030, resulting in a total reduction of 292,500 heart attacks over the 25-year period.
--Total heart disease-related deaths would drop by 2,200 in the first year after eliminating secondhand smoke and rise to 6,400 prevented deaths per year by 2030.
The results of the study were presented this week at an American Heart Association meeting in Washington, D.C.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
OK just passed a no smoking law for public places. Is much nicer to eat out, now.
The tobacco addicts will be all over this. Denial, denial, denial.
Must be why all my favorite places in WA are going out of business.
You will also live longer if a whole bunch of rotting animal flesh is not in your digestive system. And, if you don't pose a threat to Hillary Clinton's political ambitions.
what's to deny?
Lots of people live longer by just not dying.
Why people want to live other people's lives for them is another matter.
I never liked smokey bars, restruants and other cramped places, I don't mind smelling smoke from afar, but I gotta believe that this study is pure bull $h!t.
"OK just passed a no smoking law for public places. Is much nicer to eat out, now."
Excellent! Next up - FAT PEOPLE!
Secondhand smoke might be harmful and stink, but fat people are disgusting! Let's get them next!! It's not like their obesity ISN'T costing us money! Those who'd say "Yeah, but they're not harmful" clearly have never been sat upon.
//sarc
I was just making an observation. I hardly ever see anyone smoking in my vicinity.
There's no denial. But this is pretty stupid.
We could cut blood alcohol levels in drivers to .0 and probably reduce the DWI death rate by millions over decades. It all depends on who's counting.
There are many vices in life.....smoking seems to be a MINOR one, to me......NOTE: Just getting up off their BUTTS (physically) might help some reduce heart disease rates.....my Great Uncle lived to be 80....smoked from 14 to 79.....then died in the hospital after heart surgery.....yeah, he smoked....he died....but, then lots of non-smokers die BEFORE 80!
Can you even feel the freedoms you used to have just slipping away ?
Slip Slip Slip
Like that ice cream your enjoying mmmmm sure is good OOPS can't eat that it'll give you a heart attack well just have a nice T-Bone steak OH NO can't eat that it'll block up your arteries well hmmmm whats left.....? Potatoes ? Kidney beans ? A good peice of bread ?
Got an inheritance to leave to your kids ? well you did have.... but according to the Government they will be dead from fatty fat fatness by the time they are 20 so what the hell have another slice of punkin pie eat some cheesecake spend it all up because by the time the rules are being done written you and i will be in a country to rival Nazi Germany and the U.S.S.R. all rolled up into one ..... and even if you don't spend it all the Government will take the rest to keep those damn laws keeping others from having the freedoms you once enjoyed into the mix so as to keep freedom restricted to only the class that has all your damn money to begin with....
Of course that don't matter anyway dose it because you weren't the one smoking .
Jus t have some cake but don't try and eat it you may get arrested for not using fat free icing !
I hate liberal ideals almost as much as a nanny state of mind .....
You mean the freedom to pollute the air with your toxic smoke?
Yes, I believe that it is within the competence of a professor competent in the use of computers and statistics to create such a model.
I'm good with computers too. I can generate a model that says I make a billion dollars in pork futures and retire rich.
No, I don't trust them any further than I can throw them to make an honest and determined effort to ensure that the model is valid.
Personally, I think it's a toss up between that and screaming kids. I've had to leave a few good meals because some Moms and Dads let their little darlings spiral out of control in restaurants. Stress causes heart problems and upsets the digestive system, ya know. Maybe we could do a study on that? :)
I know this question was not addressed to me, but as long as you aren't forced to breathe that air, why is it your concern?
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