43
Personal health, state economy improve with Ohio’s anti-smoking law, officials say
By Marc Kovac
COLUMBUS
Ohioans are having fewer heart attacks since a voter-approved ban on smoking in public places took effect four years ago, according to a report issued by state health officials Thursday.
And sales at restaurants and bars have edged up slightly over the same time period, health officials said.
The information was released during a press conference at the Statehouse on Thursday. Ted Wymyslo, director of the Ohio Department of Health, said the reports were compiled in response to concerns raised at the time the smoke-free workplace law took effect.
Full copies of the results are available at the department’s website, online at www.odh.ohio.gov.
On the health side, the state noted that the number of people seeking emergency-room treatment and the number of patients released from hospitals for heart attack issues have both declined since the smoking ban took effect.
“The statewide Smoke-Free Workplace Act is having a positive impact on the health of Ohio residents,” Wymyslo said.
David Bruckman, from the Cleveland Department of Health, added, “Many other state reports have looked and actually found an association between lower rates of heart attacks and asthma [and smoking bans].”
On the business front, an analysis of sales data for restaurants and bars from 2003 through 2010 showed no economic impact as a result of the smoking ban. Unadjusted taxable sales at bars have increased since the change was enacted, according to the study.
“There was no statistically significant change in sales that was associated with the Ohio Smoke-Free Workplace Act,” said Elizabeth Klein, a researcher at Ohio State University’s College of Public Health.