Several studies have clearly shown a dramatic benefit to public health as a result of smoking bans.

The most recent, published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, looked at the effect of a smoking ban implemented in Pueblo, Colo.  The results show an impressive 41% decline in hospital admissions for heart attacks, since the ban went into effect.  Nearby areas without a ban showed no decrease in such events and the demographics of Pueblo residents did not change in any other way.