Tobacco.org

• Rhode Island State Rep. Richard P. Morrison says that Arizona experienced nearly immediate health benefits after a statewide ban on smoking in public places took effect 

Herman and Walsh noted that there have been many studies that found a causal relationship between smoking bans and reductions in hospital visits for respiratory and heart conditions. But independent reviews concluded that some of those studies were not optimal. And critics have said that the results of those and other studies were overblown, countering that heart attack rates have been dropping anyway because of improved treatment.

Although there is still some debate about the effectiveness of smoking bans, we couldn't find any challenges to the results of the Arizona study.

Our ruling

To prove the effectiveness of broad smoking bans in improving public health, Representative Morrison pointed to Arizona's experience.

His statement about the nearly immediate benefits of that state's ban was based on a reputable scientific study, which he characterized accurately.

But he mischaracterized Arizona's ban as applying to all public spaces, when it actually applies only to all public indoor spaces -- a big difference.

Because of that inaccuracy, we rate Morrison's claim Half True.

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