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This "study" from the American Heart Association is just embarrassing. It claims that, in 18 months, a ban on smoking in workplaces and public buildings decreased total heart attacks by 27 percent in a Colorado town -- largely by reducing second-hand smoke. If that doesn't sound absurd on its face, here's the math.

The bottom line is that the law could reduce heart attacks in three areas: Smokers who quit because they can't smoke in public, smokers who smoke less because they can't smoke in public, and non-smokers who are no longer affected by second-hand smoke. These don't add up to 27 percent of all heart disease deaths, considering that smoking at home, genetics, bad diet and poor exercise habits also claim their share of victims. And while many people will smoke less (they have fewer opportunities), few will quite just because they can't do it at work or in public buildings.

I don't doubt the ban had some effect, as it likely did reduce both first-hand and second-hand smoke to some degree, but 27 percent is laughable. I interviewed Reason editor and author Jacob Sullum about a similar "study" for a college paper; read it here.

Robert VerBruggen blogs at http://robertsrationale.blogspot.com.

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