Less heart attacks by smoking bans

Less heart attacks by smoking bans

13.03.2012

The number of heart attack treatments or the precursor angina pectoris has fallen since the introduction of non-smoker protection laws in 2007 and 2008. This shows a submitted study of the health insurance DAK-health. In this context, Carola Reimann (SPD), chairwoman of the Health Committee in the German Bundestag, calls for a stricter and uniform smoking ban for all federal states.

Non-smoker protection laws are effective
Since the introduction of the smoking ban in restaurants, the number of medical treatments due to heart attacks has dropped by eight percent. This was the result of a study by DAK-Gesundheit. Even 13 percent fewer treatments were performed for angina pectoris, a precursor to myocardial infarction. The laws for nonsmoker protection show in the view of the cash register a first effect.

„The results of our study make it clear how important the importance of non-smoker health legislation is“, explains the chairman of the board of the DAK-health, Herbert Rebscher. „And it shows that these laws effectively protect the health of people in our country.“ Only one year after the introduction of the law for the protection of non-smokers, 1880 hospital treatments were prevented, saving 7.7 million euros. According to the health insurance, the study is the largest study on the subject worldwide. For this purpose, the patient data of more than three million patients were evaluated within five years.

Stricter, uniform smoke protection required
In view of the study results, Rebscher calls for a nationwide smoking ban: „Bavaria can serve here as a blueprint for other federal states with its consistent non-smoker protection.“ Also Carola Reimann (SPD), chairwoman of the health committee in the Bundestag, fights for a stricter, uniform smoking ban for all federal states: „I would like to see all countries doing it like Bavaria and giving up exceptions uniformly.“ It prefers a nationwide regulation of the smoking ban together with other MEPs. „But now an initiative would not find a majority, "she says, but there are plans for that, but she says:" The positive development in reducing heart attacks and angina pectoris says: „That shows that they are real prevention laws. "

The citizens of the Federal Republic also support the laws for non-smoker protection. This was the result of a representative survey by the Forsa Institute, commissioned by DAK-Gesundheit. Eighty-two percent of the respondents consider the non-smoker protection laws as good. This is followed by 68 percent of smokers. Sixty-three percent of respondents said that they used to feel harassed by cigarette smoke. Slightly less than a quarter said that they had visited the cafés and restaurants more often since the new law was passed.

Cardiovascular disease is No. 1 cause of death
According to the Federal Statistical Office, in 2010 cardiovascular disease was the leading cause of death in Germany. 41 percent of all deaths were caused by this. 353,000 people died as a result of cardiovascular disease. Nearly 60,000 of them found a heart attack as a cause of death.

In addition to cardiovascular disease, tobacco smoking poses an increased risk of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and many other lung diseases. In addition, smoking increases the risk of cancer and the risk of stroke. In addition, tobacco consumption weakens the immune system and poses an increased risk of cirrhosis, gastrointestinal ulcers, impotence, gum wasting, macular degeneration, and many other disorders. (Ag)

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Picture: Rainer Sturm