Study: ER asthma visits down after smoking ban

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By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Aug 14, 2008 at 11:12 AM EST

Story Updated: Aug 14, 2008 at 11:12 AM EST

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A University of Kentucky study shows hospital emergency room visits for asthma problems dropped sharply after Lexington banned smoking in public places.

The Courier-Journal in Louisville reported Thursday that the study examined visits to the emergency rooms of four Lexington hospitals, looking at a period of 40 months before the smoking ban to 32 months after it was implemented in 2004.

The report said the average decline in asthma visits was 22 percent.

UK nursing professor Ellen Hahn said it shows a relationship between the ban and the decline.

However, Hahn said it cannot be positively stated that the ban was responsible for the decline.

Hahn says her study was partially funded by an institute established as a result of a class action lawsuit against the tobacco industry.

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Information from: The Courier-Journal, http://www.courier-journal.com

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