Consumer Reports

As part of an Open Government Initiative, federal agencies are providing online dialogs where you can share your ideas and vote on the ideas of others. Find dialogs from agencies that interest you, and share your thoughts about how to make government more transparent and collaborative.

A few months ago I wrote a post about the ban on smoking in bars and restaurants. People were very torn on this issue. Now, with a little time to see its effects, research shows that the ban has a direct correlation with a 17% decline in heart attacks in areas where the no-smoking policy has been implemented. In addition to that, for each year following the ban on smoking, communities are seeing an average of a 26% decline in heart attacks. Due to second-hand smoke, non-smokers have a 25-30% higher risk of heart attack if they inhale smoke at home or at work. Because cancer takes longer to develop, research has not yet demonstrated a link between the smoking ban and a decreased chance of getting lung cancer. But there also seems to be a decline in strokes. Have your thoughts or feelings about the ban on smoking changed in light of this research? Do you still think bar/restaurant owners should be able to choose whether or not to allow smoking in their establishment?