The introduction of a national smoking ban in Italy reduced hospital admissions for acute coronary events by 4% among persons aged less than 70 years (RR 0.96).
Observational (n=936,519)
Yes
Does a national smoking ban in public places reduce hospital admissions for acute coronary events in the general population?
The implementation of a national smoking ban in public places in Italy was associated with a significant 4% reduction in hospital admissions for acute coronary events among individuals under 70 years of age.
Effect estimate: RR 0.96 (95% CI 0.95-0.98)
BACKGROUND: Several studies have reported a reduction in acute coronary events (ACEs) in the general population after the enforcement of smoking regulations, although there is uncertainty concerning the magnitude of the effect of such interventions. We conducted a country-wide evaluation of the health effects of the introduction of a smoking ban in public places, using data on hospital admissions for ACEs from the Italian population after the implementation of a national smoking regulation in January 2005. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Rates of admission for ACEs in the 20 Italian regions from January 2002 to November 2006 were analysed using mixed-effect regression models that allowed for long-term trends and seasonality. Standard methods for interrupted time-series were adopted to assess the immediate and gradual effects of the smoking ban. Effect modification by age was investigated, with the assumption that exposure to passive smoking in public places would be greater among young people. In total, 936,519 hospital admissions for ACEs occurred in the Italian population during the study period. A 4% reduction in hospital admissions for ACEs among persons aged less than 70 years was evident after the introduction of the ban (Rate Ratio RR, 0.96; 95% Confidence Interval CI, 0.95-0.98). No effect was found among persons aged at least 70 years (RR 1.00; 95% CI 0.99-1.02). Effect modification by age was further suggested by analyses using narrower age categories. CONCLUSIONS: Smoke-free policies can constitute a simple and inexpensive intervention for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and thus should be included in prevention programmes.
Barone‐Adesi et al. (Wed,) conducted a observational in Acute Coronary Events (n=936,519). National smoking ban in indoor public places vs. Pre-ban period (January 2002 - December 2004) was evaluated on Hospital admissions for acute coronary events among persons aged less than 70 years (RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.95-0.98). The introduction of a national smoking ban in Italy reduced hospital admissions for acute coronary events by 4% among persons aged less than 70 years (RR 0.96).