Workplace Smoking Bans Don't Reduce Heart Disease Death Rates

The four states which banned smoking in most workplaces during 2002-2003 did not experience dramatic drops in the rate of death from acute myocardial infarction during the year after their smoking bans were implemented. They also have not experienced greater declines in death rates from acute myocardial infarction than the rest of the United States. Connecticut banned smoking in the workplace, including restaurants and bars, but exempting casinos and private clubs, as of Oct. 1, 2003. Delaware banned smoking in all public buildings and workplaces including bars, restaurants, and casinos, as of Nov. 27, 2003. Florida banned smoking in the workplace (including all restaurants), with stand-alone bars and smoking rooms in hotels exempt, as of July 1, 2003. South Dakota banned smoking in most workplaces, except bars and casinos, in July 2002.