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Implications of a Public Smoking Ban

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Abstract

Objectives

Legislation to ban smoking in public places is currently a major area of interest across Canada. The main objectives of the study were to 1) determine the effect of the smoking ban on incidence of acute myocardial infarction, 2) determine if the new legislation altered population-based smoking prevalence, and 3) measure public support for the public smoking ban.

Methods

The city of Saskatoon initiated a public smoking ban on July 1, 2004. We retrospectively reviewed all hospital discharges for acute MI from July 2000 to June 2005. We reviewed CCHS survey information on smoking prevalence for Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and Canada from 2003 to 2005. We prospectively contacted 1,255 Saskatoon residents by telephone to determine support for the public smoking ban.

Results

The age-standardized incidence rate of acute MI fell from 176.1 (95% CI 165.3–186.8) cases per 100,000 population (July 1, 2000 to June 30, 2004) to 152.4 (95% CI 135.3–169.3) cases per 100,000 population (July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005). Smoking prevalence in Saskatoon fell from 24.1% in 2003 (95% CI 20.4–27.7) to 18.2% in 2005 (95% CI 15.7–20.9) while smoking prevalence in Saskatchewan remained unchanged at 23.8% (95% CI 22.6–25.3) and Canada reduced from 22.9% (95% CI 22.5–23.3) to 21.3% (95% CI 20.8–21.8). Seventy-nine percent of Saskatoon residents believed the smoking ban was a good idea.

Interpretation

The public smoking ban in Saskatoon, Canada, is associated with reduced incidence rates of acute MI, lower smoking prevalence and high levels of public support.

Résumé

Objectifs

Les lois interdisant le tabagisme dans les lieux publics suscitent beaucoup d’intérêt au Canada. Notre étude visait principalement à: 1) déterminer l’effet de l’interdiction du tabagisme sur l’incidence des infarctus aigus du myocarde (IAM), 2) déterminer si les nouvelles lois ont modifié la prévalence du tabagisme dans la population et 3) mesurer l’appui à l’interdiction du tabagisme dans les lieux publics.

Méthode

La ville de Saskatoon interdit le tabagisme dans les lieux publics depuis le 1er juillet 2004. Nous avons examiné rétrospectivement toutes les sorties d’hôpitaux des patients ayant subi un IAM entre juillet 2000 et juin 2005. Nous avons examiné les données de l’Enquête sur la santé dans les collectivités canadiennes (ESCC) sur la prévalence du tabagisme à Saskatoon, en Saskatchewan et au Canada de 2003 à 2005. Prospectivement, nous avons contacté par téléphone 1 255 résidents de Saskatoon pour déterminer leur appui à l’interdiction du tabagisme dans les lieux publics.

Résultats

Le taux d’incidence des IAM, sans strate d’âges, a chuté. Il est passé de 176,1 cas pour 100 000 habitants (IC de 95 % = 165,3–186,8) du 1er juillet 2000 au 30 juin 2004 à 152,4 cas pour 100 000 habitants (IC de 95 % =135,3–169,3) du 1er juillet 2004 au 30 juin 2005. La prévalence du tabagisme à Saskatoon a également chuté, passant de 24,1 % en 2003 (IC de 95 % = 20,4–27,7) à 18,2 % en 2005 (IC de 95 % = 15,7–20,9), tandis que la prévalence du tabagisme en Saskatchewan est restée inchangée à 23,8 % (IC de 95 % = 22,6–25,3); à l’échelle du Canada, elle a diminué, passant de 22,9 % (IC de 95 % = 22,5–23,3) à 21,3 % (IC de 95 % = 20,8–21,8). Soixante-dix-neuf p. cent des résidents de Saskatoon considéraient l’interdiction du tabagisme comme une bonne idée.

Interprétation

L’interdiction du tabagisme dans les lieux publics à Saskatoon, au Canada, est associée à des taux d’incidence réduits d’IAM, à une moindre prévalence du tabagisme et à des niveaux élevés d’appui du public.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Saskatoon Health Region, 101-310 Idylwyld Drive N, Saskatoon, SK, S7L 0Z2, Canada

    Mark Lemstra PhD (Senior Research Epidemiologist), Cory Neudorf MD, FRCPC, MHSc (Chief Medical Health Officer and Vice President Research) & Johnmark Opondo MD, MPH (Deputy Medical Health Officer)

Authors
  1. Mark Lemstra PhD
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  2. Cory Neudorf MD, FRCPC, MHSc
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  3. Johnmark Opondo MD, MPH
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mark Lemstra PhD.

Additional information

Source of funding: The research for this study was supported by a grant from the Canadian Tobacco Control Research Initiative which is a partnership of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Health Canada, the National Cancer Institute of Canada, the Canadian Cancer Society, the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Lung Association

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Lemstra, M., Neudorf, C. & Opondo, J. Implications of a Public Smoking Ban. Can J Public Health 99, 62–65 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03403743

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