The Benefit of Smoke-Free Policies
The Mankato Area Smoke Free Coalition tested the indoor air quality in Mankato bars
and restaurants before and after implementation of the ordinance: Testing showed
an 86% decrease in indoor air pollution caused by secondhand smoke.
Secondhand smoke costs more than $9.5 billion each year in the United States in direct
and indirect medical costs.
Behan DF, Eriksen MP, Lin Y. Economic Effects of Environmental Tobacco
Smoke 2005.
A Helena, Montana, study made a connection between secondhand smoke and heart disease.
The study observed that hospital admissions for heart attacks declined by approximately
40 percent during a six-month period during which a comprehensive smoke-free air law was
in effect, and rebounded after the ordinance was suspended.
Sargent RP, Sherpard RM, Glantz SA. Reduced Incidence of Admissions for
Myocardial Infarction Associated with Public Smoking Ban: Before and After Study.
University of California. 2004
In 2005, a similar study conducted in Pueblo, Colorado, confirmed the findings from Helena.
Bartecci C, Alsever R, Nevin-Woods C, Thomas, WM, Estacio R, Bartelson B,
Krantz M. Reduction in the incidence of Acute Myocardial Infarction Associated With a
Citywide Smoking Ordinance. Circulation. 2006.
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