Cardiovascular health and economic effects of smoke-free workplaces: Am J Med. 2004;117:32-38

Abstract

On page 32, second column of the Abstract, the data for listed savings in direct medical costs in 1 year and at steady state are incorrect. The following text should replace the first two complete sentences: In 1 year, making all workplaces smoke free would prevent about 1500 myocardial infarctions and 350 strokes, and result in nearly $60 million in savings in direct medical costs. At steady state, 6250 myocardial infarctions and 1270 strokes would be prevented, and $279 million would be saved in direct medical costs annually. On page 36, second column, first paragraph, total averted costs within the first year should not include costs from prevented strokes. The following text should replace the first sentence: The total averted costs within the first year would include $48.6 million from prevented myocardial infarctions, of which $28.6 million (59%) would be attributable to prevented myocardial infarctions among former passive smokers (Table 4). Cardiovascular health and economic effects of smoke-free workplacesThe American Journal of MedicineVol. 117Issue 1PreviewSmoking is the leading controllable risk factor for heart disease. Only about 69% of U.S. indoor workers are currently covered by a smoke-free workplace policy. This analysis projects the cardiovascular health and economic effects of making all U.S. workplaces smoke free after 1 year and at steady state. Full-Text PDF