Health and Economic Impact Health and Economic Impact of the Nevada Clean Indoor of the Nevada Clean Indoor

Air Act (NCIAA)Air Act (NCIAA)Chris Pritsos, John Packham and Wei YangChris Pritsos, John Packham and Wei Yang

After more than ten years of trying to work through the After more than ten years of trying to work through the legislative process to restrict smoking with no success the legislative process to restrict smoking with no success the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act was placed on the ballot in 2006 Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act was placed on the ballot in 2006 through the ballot initiative process.through the ballot initiative process.

The ballot initiative passed by a 54 to 46 margin despite heavy The ballot initiative passed by a 54 to 46 margin despite heavy opposition.opposition.

The law came under attack during the last legislative session The law came under attack during the last legislative session and may come under attack during the current legislative and may come under attack during the current legislative session. session.

Current StudyCurrent Study

o Using more the 4 million hospital Using more the 4 million hospital admission records for Nevada admission records for Nevada and regression modeling we compare and regression modeling we compare predicted hospital admissions in Nevada predicted hospital admissions in Nevada for heart attacks and strokes before and for heart attacks and strokes before and after the NCIAA went into effect. after the NCIAA went into effect.

o We conducted an economic impact We conducted an economic impact analyses based upon these findings.analyses based upon these findings.

FindingsFindings

Statistically significant reduction in acute Statistically significant reduction in acute myocardial infarction (heart attacks) and myocardial infarction (heart attacks) and stroke.stroke.

On average 346 fewer AMI’s per year On average 346 fewer AMI’s per year since the implementation of the NCIAA.since the implementation of the NCIAA.

On average 315 fewer strokes per year On average 315 fewer strokes per year since the implementation of the law.since the implementation of the law.

FindingsFindings

Average annual decrease in hospital bill Average annual decrease in hospital bill charges of $23.5 million for AMI and $9.8 charges of $23.5 million for AMI and $9.8 million for stroke since the NCIAA went million for stroke since the NCIAA went into effect.into effect.

Average annual decrease of $13 million in Average annual decrease of $13 million in Medicare and Medicaid charges since the Medicare and Medicaid charges since the NCIAA went into effect NCIAA went into effect

ConclusionConclusion

Despite poor statewide compliance, the Despite poor statewide compliance, the NCIAA has had a positive effect on the NCIAA has had a positive effect on the health of Nevadans but is also reducing health of Nevadans but is also reducing health care costs for the state and federal health care costs for the state and federal governments.governments.

Imagine the lives and cost savings to Imagine the lives and cost savings to Nevada if this ban was expanded to cover Nevada if this ban was expanded to cover all segments of the population.all segments of the population.