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Posted: 4:41 PM Sep 23, 2009
Statistics Stack Up for Smoking Ban
A study released Tuesday shows smoking bans have been linked to a drop in heart attacks. A poll shows more than 60 percent of the 400 registered voters who participated are in favor of a smoking ban.
Reporter: Rae Chelle DavisEmail Address: RaeChelle.Davis@wibw.com |
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4 Comments 
Topeka, KS (WIBW) - The odds seem to be stacking up for those in favor of a smoking ban in Topeka. A study was released Tuesday that links smoking bans to a drop in heart attacks. The study found a 26 percent drop after one year and a 36 percent drop in heart attacks after three years in areas with a smoking ban.
"Almost all of the effects or benefits occur in non-smokers, but there is some effect for smokers because smoking bans get some of them to stop smoking," said David Meyers, MD, MPH at the University of Kansas Medical Center who is the lead author of one of the studies.
Two Topeka City Council members say they are still on the fence about the smoking ban. Karen Hiller, Topeka city council district 1, said she believes there is no secret that there is a health issue but the concern is public policy. Bob Archer, Topeka city council district 7, said he wants to hear all sides before he makes up his mind but he has been surprised that more businesses have not spoken to him.
A poll conducted by ASA Marketing revealed 242 people out of 400 of the registered voters in the city of Topeka polled said they were strongly in favor of a smoking ban. That adds up to just over 60 percent. Only 89, or 22.3 percent said they were strongly opposed to the ban.
Both council members say they will make their final decisions after hearing all of the discussion. There is a hearing scheduled for Monday and the council meets Tuesday at 6:00 in their chambers.
Latest Comments
ASA Marketing? Interesting. Antismokers usually like to use Mellman for their polls. Why? Simple: here's how Melman describes their polling abilities on their website at http://www.mellmangroup.com/win.htm : . "Some pollsters simply report on opinions. We use the most sophisticated analytical tools available to understand the motivations of consumers and voters so we can intervene in their decision-making processes to produce the outcomes our clients want." . Which is why the polls always come out in favor of bans and such. The folks on the other side of the issue have no money to hire a fancy group to "intervene in the decision-making processes to produce the outcomes we want." . Yeah, you could say "Big Tobacco" has money, but anyone following this issue knows that Big Tobacco's been almost silent on bans since their losses in 1996. . Michael J. McFadden, Authnor of "Dissecting Antismokers' Brains"
I would like to know why Topeka of all towns in Kansas can't go non smoking. Looks like they would want to show a good health outlook to their people. I would like to go out and not have to worry about a person lighting up an a cancer stick. Thats why we drive 25-50 miles to have a good meal without that to think about.
Oh ya........in your dreams. Among all the hyperbole from the anti-tobacco forces. the heart attack studies are the biggest fetch yet..........http://www.spiked -online.com/index.php/site/art icle/7451/ The myth of the smoking ban ‘miracle’ Restrictions on smoking around the world are claimed to have had a dramatic effect on heart attack rates. It's not true...........SECOND HAND SMOKE IS A JOKE 98% WATER VAPOR...STEAM..
