No smoking in "Marlboro Country"

I don't necessarily want to cover what is already happening in Athens, Ohio due to the smoking ban and step on the feet of another person in my class who is doing a blog on Issue 5, however I will share a bit of information that I found interesting with you.

Helena, Montana which is the capital city of Montana and home to 25,780 people according to the 2000 U.S. census, or a little over 65,000 including surrounding areas, enacted a smoking ban in June 2002 that prohibited smoking in all public areas. The ban was later revoked in December 2002 after being overturned on Constitutional grounds. Part of the irony of the smoking ban in this city is that it and other areas in Montana have been used as the backdrop for many Malboro ads.

The ban was only in effect for six months but had an amazing impact on the health of the individuals who live there. Within the six months of the smoking ban the number of people who suffered from heart attacks reduced by 60% according to an artcile posted on WebMD. While researchers do admit that the findings could be just by chance another article attributes that after the ban was lifted in December the amount of heart attacks rose to the same number as before the smoking ban was inacted.

The negative economic effects I could find information on were those by the area gambling facilities. The article states that there was a dramatic decrease in revenue following the smoking ban.

The ban was lifted in December 2002 because of constitutionality grounds due to the fact that those who violated the ordinance did not receive a trial by jury.

I found this dramatic decrease in the amount of heart attacks in such a short period of time fascinating. While it isn't necessarily information about Athens, I think Helena is a smaller town like Athens which may give you some insight to the impact a smoking ban can have on towns fo our size.