Smoking Bans Good for the Heart—and the Wallet
To smoke or not to smoke, that is the question.
OK, so I just slaughtered a well-known quote by one of history's most famous authors. And while I admit it sounded
a bit corny, my version holds more than a grain of truth—especially in the face of new medical findings. Experts are now telling us that not only is smoke-free air good for our lungs, it's also easier on our hearts—and our budgets. 
As more and more cities around the country move toward smoke-free environments in the workplace and other public areas, the cleaner air some of us are now breathing carries an added benefit that really isn't so surprising: a reduced likelihood of heart attack. And healthier bodies mean less risk for our insurers, which saves us all money in insurance and health care costs.
According to the U.S. Society of Actuaries, the direct medical cost of coronary heart disease in the United States caused by secondhand smoke totals $10 billion annually. That statistic is staggering; and it applies to smokers and non-smokers alike, demonstrating the effects of the toxins we breathe in as we all share the same smoke-laden air.
Just the other day I ran across this Reuters news article which details the health benefits experienced by the people of Pueblo, Colorado, InsureMe's home state, following the institution of a smoking ban there back in 2003. Reportedly, in the 18 months after that city banned the use of tobacco products in public places, hospital admissions for heart attacks dropped 27 percent; those in the nearby city of Colorado Springs, which at the time did not enforce a no-smoking policy, remained significantly unchanged.
Now I was curious whether similar findings had surfaced in other U.S. cities with public no-smoking ordinances, so I decided to do a little research. It didn't take me long to find an answer.
As it turns out, Pueblo is just one of several cities where a lack of secondhand smoke resulted in a decreased heart attack rate. Helena, Montana and Bowling Green, Ohio saw similar results upon outlawing public smoking.
It seems we've stumbled upon an undeniable medical fact here: regardless where we weigh in on the public smoking issue, banning smoking in public places means we're prone to live more heart-healthy lives—and that's good news for us all.
Since insurance premiums are based on risk, reducing our risk of heart attack also carries the added benefit of lowering our insurance prices. Whether buying health, life, home or auto insurance, this can mean big savings and a little more cushion in our household budgets...and we can all use a little more of that!
[Bonus Links:]
Heart Attacks Decline After Smoking Ban
Public Smoking Ban Slashes Heart Attacks
Ohio Town Shows Sharp Drop in Heart Attacks Following Smoking Ban
