Smoking Ban Benefits
|  Video
|
| 10/23/2009 |
 |
| Experts say breathing second-hand smoke raises your risk of having a heart attack sometimes in just minutes. "That goes directly from the lungs into the heart, so it`s damaging the lungs and the heart in very high concentrations," said the CDC’s Dr. Matthew McKenna. How high? The Institute of Medicine can`t say. Some studies show a 25 to 30 percent higher risk but because smoking bans are enforced differently, experts say it`s hard to nail down exactly how effective they are. Scientists report six percent fewer heart attacks in some areas with smoking bans, almost half as many in others. "I like to describe the studies we looked at as looking at apples, bananas and kiwis - and you just don`t produce a number about all fruits as a result of doing that," said Stephen Feinberg of the Carnegie Mellon University. What they do know is that 11 studies showed a consistent link between second-hand smoke and heart disease. "We did find clear evidence that there`s a cause and effect relationship," said dr. Lynn Goldman of Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. So these experts have a clear warning. "If you have heart disease you need to stay away from second-hand smoke. It`s an immediate threat to your life," said Dr. Neal Benowitz of the University of California, San Francisco. Right now, smoking bans cover less than half the country but the American Heart Association is pushing for more. "Very often we can`t make a choice about our exposure to second-hand smoke -- for instance, in the workplace or a restaurant. That`s where these banks become so effective," said Elizabeth Ross of the American Heart Association. A new report, clearing the air on how what we breathe affects our health. Scientists are also concerned about "third hand smoke." A study earlier this year found the toxins left by smokers on clothes, furniture and in carpet can also be hazardous to your health. |
BACK TO NEWS | BACK TO NBC VIDEOS STORIES
© 2009 KFYR-TV
Home | News | Weather | Sports | Webcast | Morning News | Programming | Primetime Rewind | Advertising & Sales | About Us
Community Connection | Movies | Contests & Promotions | Search | Links | Contact Us | Follow us on: Facebook and twitter
Sister Stations: KMOT in Minot, KQCD in Dickinson, KUMV in Williston
