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Asthma-related ED visits decline after enactment of smoke-free law

Researchers observed a reduction in asthma-related ED visits in both adults and children after a smoke-free workplace law took effect in Minnesota, according to study results.

“Our finding of decreased asthma-related ED visits following implementation of a statewide smoke-free law is biologically plausible and consistent with the known causal relationship between cigarette smoke exposure and exacerbation of pulmonary disease symptoms as well as with previous observations of the relationship between smoke-free policies and reductions in [secondhand smoke (SHS)] exposure and respiratory symptoms,” Ivana T. Croghan, PhD, of Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and colleagues, wrote.

Ivana T. Croghan

The researchers conducted a retrospective cohort study during a 5-year period to determine if a smoke-free workplace law decreased the number of asthma-related and COPD-related ED visits among adults and children in Olmsted County, Minnesota, after the law was enacted in October 2007.

To determine if there was a change in hospital admissions, the study reviewed data for all ED visits from 2005 through 2009. More than 5,200 ED visits for COPD and 5,906 visits for asthma occurred during the 5-year period.

While the change in COPD-induced ED was not significant, the researchers wrote it was evident that the smoke-free law decreased ED visits for asthma (RR = 0.814; 95% CI, 0.722-0.966) among adults and children.

Croghan and colleagues said their study was limited because the ED visits were primarily ambulatory and did not include hospital admissions. Still, the researchers stressed the importance of smoke-free laws.

“Communities need to continue to advocate for smoke-free laws and policies in order to reduce the burden of disease caused by SHS,” the researchers wrote.

Disclosure: Croghan reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for a list of all others authors’ relevant financial disclosures.