Study: 100% Smoke-free Policies Yield Lower CVD Risk

Local 100% smoke-free policies were associated with lower risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) among middle-aged adults, new research suggested.  

Researchers looking at the associations between smoke-free policies and incident cardiovascular disease after controlling for sociodemographics, risk factors and policy covariates examined longitudinal data from 3,783 black and white adults from the CARDIA study (with 20 years of follow-up). The patient population data were linked to state, county, and local policies in bars, restaurants and nonhospitality workplaces via Census tract. Hazard ratios for incident CVD associated with time-dependent smoke-free exposure were assessed using extended Cox regression models, and were adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, CVD risk factors, state cigarette tax, smoking bans in workplaces, and other factors. 

Consistent with prior ecological studies, this study add to the evidence that 100% smoke-free policies are associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease among middle-aged adults. https://t.co/k91wtfJgtM – #publichealth

— Josep Vidal-Alaball MD, PhD, MPH (@jvalaball) May 18, 2018

Young adults living in areas with smoke-free policies at the workplace had a 25% lower risk for #HeartDisease @CircAHA https://t.co/Xj3YnmrAqu#smokefree #healthyliving #healthylifestyle pic.twitter.com/T2C2AwjrSF

— Scott Lear, PhD (@DrScottLear) May 11, 2018

According to the results, 80% of study participants lived in areas with 100% smoking bans in restaurants, 67% in bars and 65% in nonhospitality workplaces. After adjustment, those living in areas with smoke-free workplaces (HR=0.54; 95% CI, 0.34 to 0.86), bars (HR=0.76; 95% CI, 0.47 to 1.24) and restaurants (HR= 0.75; 95% CI, 0.49 to 1.15) had lower risk for incident CVD. 

Longitudinal Associations of Smoke-Free Policies and Incident Cardiovascular Disease: CARDIA Study via @CircAHA https://t.co/l97TtlQrOE @NYUCVDPrevent @OHSUCardio @ASPCardio @nationallipid @CiccaroneCenter #SmokeFreeVillage

— Dr. James Underberg (@lipiddoc) May 8, 2018

https://twitter.com/vchiesibrown/statuses/993852653724733441

100% smoke-free policies are associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease among middle-aged adults. #SmokeFreePoliciesWork https://t.co/l8j1Jin2ox

— TobaccoFreeMeck (@TobaccoFreeMeck) June 10, 2018

“Smoke-free policies may improve cardiovascular health through reducing population exposure to tobacco smoke,” the researchers wrote. “However, much of the U.S. population remains unprotected by smoke-free policies. Results of this story, taken together with prior ecological work, support the continued expansion of smoke-free policies in indoor public places.” 

Source: Circulation