Almost a year after smoking ban in England: less heart attack cases

The number of heart attack patients being admitted to emergency wards has fallen sharply in more than half of England’s hospital trusts since smoking was banned in public places. The British Heart Foundation said that it showed the ban was the “most significant public health initiative this century”. These drops in the rate of heart attacks have been attributed to a large number of people stopping smoking, and far fewer people being exposed to airborne toxins through passive smoking. (link via timesonline.co.uk) I hope this report will encourage even more smokers to quit. I've never smoked and I was so pleased when England finally banned smoking in all enclosed public places and workplaces in England last year (July 1st 2007). The other big (positive) change in the law was on 1st October 2007 when it became illegal for tobacco products to be sold to anyone under the age of 18 (an increase from 16) in England and Wales.