Averted heart attack hospitalization costs achievable through state smoke-free laws

Audience:

Tobacco control professionals working at the national, state, and local levels

Key Points:

Several studies have found that smoke-free laws prohibiting smoking in indoor workplaces and public places reduce hospitalizations for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), or heart attacks. This analysis estimated the AMI hospitalizations, AMI deaths, and AMI hospitalization costs that might have been averted if all U.S. states which did not have comprehensive laws in effect in 2009 prohibiting smoking in workplaces, restaurants, and bars had implemented such laws. The analysis used data from the CDC State Tobacco Activities Tracking and Evaluation System, the Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation, the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project, and the National Vital Statistics System.

Implementing statewide comprehensive smoke-free laws in the 27 states that lacked such laws in 2009 would have prevented 23,391-52,469 AMIs and 4,982-11,176 AMI deaths, and would have resulted in cost savings of $427.1-$958.1 million in the first year after these laws were implemented. Substantial health benefits and cost savings would be achieved if all states were to implement comprehensive smoke-free laws. Cost savings would include sizeable reductions in Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance expenditures.

Educational Experience:

This study quantifies some of the short-term cardiovascular health and economic benefits that could be realized by implementing statewide comprehensive smoke-free laws in states which lack such laws.

Benefits:

The findings of this analysis indicate that states which lack comprehensive statewide smoke-free laws could achieve substantial reductions in AMI hospitalizations, AMI deaths, and AMI hospitalization costs by implementing such laws.