Advances in Tobacco Control
Smokefree Air Laws
The goal of smokefree laws is to reduce the public’s exposure to secondhand smoke and its negative health effects, but smokefree environments also lower the perceived social acceptability of smoking (referred to as "denormalization"). This can discourage initiation, particularly among youth.1 Smoking bans are associated with reduced tobacco sales and lower smoking prevalence.2 According to the American Nonsmokers Rights Foundation, 60.8% of the US population live in communities with comprehensive smokefree laws that prohibit cigarette smoking in non-hospitality worksites, restaurants, and bars (Map 4.2.9).3
The healthcare benefits from reduced exposure to secondhand smoke resulting from smoking bans can be substantial.4 For example, in New York, the implementation of the Clean Indoor Air Act was associated with a significant decline in hospital admissions for heart attacks.5 Similarly, California's comprehensive smokefree laws have contributed to one of the lowest smoking rates in the country, with significant reductions in tobacco-related diseases and healthcare costs.6 With the rising popularity of e-cigarettes, especially among youth, some states have included e-cigarettes in their smokefree air laws.
Barriers to the implementation of smokefree laws include opposition by the tobacco industry through lobbying and litigation, and political and cultural resistance to smokefree policies.7 Tobacco industry tactics also include efforts to roll back existing smokefree laws and/or seeking exemptions for specific tobacco products (e.g., cigars, hookah). Public support for smokefree policies is generally high, however, particularly when the health risks of secondhand smoke are well-communicated. Though some businesses initially fear that smokefree laws will negatively impact their revenue, research indicates that smokefree laws do not have this effect but often benefit the hospitality industry and local economy.8
The healthcare benefits from reduced exposure to secondhand smoke resulting from smoking bans can be substantial.4 For example, in New York, the implementation of the Clean Indoor Air Act was associated with a significant decline in hospital admissions for heart attacks.5 Similarly, California's comprehensive smokefree laws have contributed to one of the lowest smoking rates in the country, with significant reductions in tobacco-related diseases and healthcare costs.6 With the rising popularity of e-cigarettes, especially among youth, some states have included e-cigarettes in their smokefree air laws.
Barriers to the implementation of smokefree laws include opposition by the tobacco industry through lobbying and litigation, and political and cultural resistance to smokefree policies.7 Tobacco industry tactics also include efforts to roll back existing smokefree laws and/or seeking exemptions for specific tobacco products (e.g., cigars, hookah). Public support for smokefree policies is generally high, however, particularly when the health risks of secondhand smoke are well-communicated. Though some businesses initially fear that smokefree laws will negatively impact their revenue, research indicates that smokefree laws do not have this effect but often benefit the hospitality industry and local economy.8
Sources
- Fichtenberg, C. M., & Glantz, S. A. (2002). Effect of smokefree workplaces on smoking behaviour: Systematic review. BMJ, 325(7357), 188.
- Akter S, Rahman MM, Rouyard T, Aktar S, Nsashiyi RS, Nakamura R. A systematic review and network meta-analysis of population-level interventions to tackle smoking behaviour. Nat Hum Behav. Oct 7 2024.
- https://no-smoke.org/
- Lightwood, J., & Glantz, S. A. (2009). Declines in acute myocardial infarction after smokefree laws and individual risk attributable to secondhand smoke. Circulation, 120(14), 1373-1379.
- Juster, H. R., Loomis, B. R., Hinman, T. M., Farrelly, M. C., Hyland, A., Bauer, U. E., & Birkhead, G. S. (2007). Declines in hospital admissions for acute myocardial infarction in New York state after implementation of a comprehensive smoking ban. American Journal of Public Health, 97(11), 2035-2039.
- California Department of Public Health. (2020). California tobacco control program: 30 years of progress. Retrieved from https://www.cdph.ca.gov
- Bayer, R., & Bachynski, K. E. (2013). Banning smoking in parks and on beaches: Science, policy, and the politics of denormalization. Health Affairs, 32(7), 1291-1298.
- Scollo, M., Lal, A., Hyland, A., & Glantz, S. (2003). Review of the quality of studies on the economic effects of smokefree policies on the hospitality industry. Tobacco Control, 12(1), 13-20.