The dangers of secondhand smoke have led some organizations and communities to establish smoking bans in offices, restaurants, and other public venues.  The effectiveness of such bans in protecting people from health risks associated with breathing environmental tobacco smoke has been a matter of continuing debate.  Secondhand-Smoke Exposure and Cardiovascular Effects: Making Sense of the Evidence, a new report from the Institute of Medicine, provides a comprehensive evaluation of studies exploring the impacts of smoking bans in the United States and abroad and the relationship between secondhand smoke and heart disease.  Based on this review, the report offers conclusions about the effectiveness of smoke-free policies.  The report will be released with a one-hour public briefing.

Details:

11 a.m. to noon EDT Thursday, Oct. 15, Room 201 of the National Academies Keck Center, 500 Fifth St., N.W., Washington, D.C.  Those who cannot attend may participate by conference call.

Advance copies of the report will be available to reporters only beginning at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14.  The report is embargoed until 11 a.m. EDT on Oct. 15.  Reporters: To receive a copy of the report and to register to attend the briefing or to receive the call-in information, contact the Office of News and Public Information, tel. 202-334-2138, or e-mail news@nas.edu.