208113 Impact smoke-free laws have on reducing heart attacks: Implications of the emerging science

Wednesday, November 11, 2009: 10:48 AM

Terry Pechacek, PhD , Office on Smoking and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Michael A. Tynan , Office on Smoking and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Stephen Babb, MPH , Office on Smoking and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Sara Mirza, MPH , Office on Smoking and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Rachel Kaufmann, PhD , Office on Smoking and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
  
Evidence from animal and human studies indicates that secondhand smoke exposure can produce substantial and rapid adverse effects on the functioning of the heart, blood, and vascular systems that increase the risk of a cardiac event. Several of the physiological mechanisms through which secondhand smoke affects the cardiovascular system are acute and can be triggered by very low doses of tobacco smoke. Epidemiologic and experimental evidence suggests that these acute effects may be rapidly reversible.

Eleven published studies conducted in a variety of communities, states, regions, and countries have reported that smoke-free laws appear to be associated with rapid and sizeable reductions in hospital admissions for acute myocardial infarctions among the general population. After implementing a smoke-free law, one community saw a reduction in acute myocardial infarction admissions by 27% after 18 months and by 41% after 3-years. Several of these studies have also suggested that these reductions in heart attacks are more pronounced among nonsmokers than among smokers. Additional natural studies on this topic are in progress.

The Institute of Medicine is scheduled to release a report on the relationship between secondhand smoke exposure and acute coronary events in mid-2009. This presentation will:

(1)summarize the findings of relevant studies to date;

(2)summarize the conclusions of the IOM report;

(3)discuss the practical implications of the emerging science in this area for policymakers, physicians, other public health practitioners, and the public; and

(4)discuss future research needs in this area.

Learning Objectives:
-Explain the mechanisms by which secondhand smoke has acute effects on the cardiovascular system. -Describe the findings of research on the association between smoke-free laws and hospital admissions for heart attacks -Identify future research needs in this area

Keywords: Smoking, Heart Disease

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Steve is a Public Health Analyst with the Policy, Planning, and Coordination Unit of the Office of the Director of the CDC Office on Smoking and Health (OSH). In this role, he conducts analysis of policies and programs related to tobacco and health issues and responds to internal and external inquiries. Steve also serves as mentor to the strategic coordinator for OSH’s secondhand smoke activities. Prior to his current position, Steve spent four years as a Health Education Specialist with the OSH Health Communications Branch, where he developed and disseminated publications, presentations, and other materials on tobacco topics and tracked news media coverage of tobacco issues. Prior to that position, Steve spent three years as a Program Consultant with the OSH Program Services Branch, where he provided technical assistance to state tobacco control programs. Before that, Steve spent six years as a regional field director with the New Mexico tobacco control program, where he worked with several community coalitions that were developing local smoke-free policies. Prior to his New Mexico position, Steve worked as a health educator in a tobacco control program in a county Health Department in California. Before that, Steve worked as a researcher, writer, and editor for the Hesperian Foundation, a nonprofit organization that addresses health issues in developing countries.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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