Ban Smoking in Public Areas

"Even breathing in low doses of cigarette smoke can increase one's risk of heart attack," said David Meyers, M.D., M.P.H., professor of Cardiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Kansas School of Medicine and lead investigator of the study, which is the most comprehensive analysis of related studies to date. "Public smoking bans seem to be tremendously effective in reducing heart attack and, theoretically, might also help to prevent lung cancer and emphysema, diseases that develop much more slowly than heart attacks. The cardiac benefits increased with longer ban duration."


Not permitting smoking in public areas may help people refrain from smoking. Some argue that there would be a significant decline in the clientele in bars and clubs, but non-smokers actually outnumber smokers three to one. A ban could actually increase people going out because nonsmokers would be more comfortable. 

There may also be a sudden realization of the dangers of smoking. With the state government taking a stand, it may cause people to take another look at the deadly factors of "cancer sticks." 

After a recent incident from the widely known Target Market program, people are beginning to feel that anti-tobacco efforts are losing their focus. At a local event a couple years ago, a punk band hired by the anti-drug campaign played songs that included positive images of cigarettes and other drugs in their lyrics. This is not the most efficient way to use money set aside for anti-drug programs. Instead, this money could be used to enforce the laws that should be passed to ban smoking in public places.

"Several years ago, the idea that secondhand smoke was harmful to the heart was a theory and one with some controversy attached, but this article moves us from the theoretical to fact and to practice. The reduction in heart attacks associated with public smoking bans is a big deal," said Steven Schroeder, M.D., director, Smoking Cessation Leadership Center University of California, San Francisco. "While cardiologists routinely screen for lipid disorders and high blood pressure, they also need to become vigilant about asking patients about tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure and provide counseling as needed."

Drs. Meyers and Schroeder encourage clinicians to support community smoking bans and other tobacco control measures including tax increases on cigarettes, expanded cessation services including telephone quitlines and educational campaigns. So far, bans on smoking in public places and workplaces have been instituted in 32 states and many cities across the country. As the United States increasingly institutes policies to protect nonsmokers from second hand smoke, authors say these efforts will yield great public health benefits in the form of reduced disease, disability and deaths.

‘I don’t see the necessity of having wardens walking around the parks,’ he said. ‘The evidence will suggest that our nation does abide with the laws. We just need very clear signs.’

The plan was welcomed by Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York City, where smoking is already banned in all parks.

He said: ‘London’s plan will help prevent children from picking up the habit, discourage adults from smoking, and improve the health of children and families.

‘I look forward to visiting London’s smoke-free parks and squares, and I’m certain that millions of others will as well.’

Deborah Arnott, of the anti-smoking charity ASH, said: ‘London needs to do more to tackle smoking, which is the major cause of preventable premature death in the capital.’

A source close to Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said he was not considering extending smoking bans to public parks, though London and local authorities could act independently to implement their own measures.

Lord Darzi is a cancer surgeon at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington.