Association between a comprehensive smoking ban and hospitalization for acute myocardial infarction: An observational study in the Autonomous Community of Valencia, Spain

Objective: To assess the association between a comprehensive smoking ban and hospitalization rates for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods: An observational study was conducted to assess changes in hospital admission rates for AMI in the Autonomous Community of Valencia, Spain (population 5 million), during the period 1995-2013. Law 28/2005 prohibited smoking in all enclosed spaces (public and private), and Law 42/2010 extended the ban to bars and restaurants as well as children's playgrounds and access areas of schools and hospitals. Data on hospital admissions were obtained from the Hospital Discharge Database (CMBD) of the Autonomous Community. Annual hospital admission rates per …