TY - JOUR T1 - The impact of smoke-free legislation on smoking-related emergency admissions in Istanbul JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 38 IS - Suppl 55 SP - 4698 AU - Elif Dagli AU - Ela Erdem AU - Ahmet Topuzoglu AU - Pinar Ay AU - Suayip Birinci AU - Ibrahim Topcu AU - Refika Ersu Y1 - 2011/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/4698.abstract N2 - Introduction: Reductions in exposure to tobacco smoke was shown to attenuate the risk of exacerbations of chronic respiratory and cardiac conditions both in adults and children. The aim of this study was to compare the changes in emergency department (ED) admissions for smoking-related diseases before and after the implementataion of smoking ban in Istanbul.Methods: Admissions to ten major hospitals in Istanbul in the first five months of 2009 and 2010 were evaluated and compared, using International Classification of Diseases, (ICD-10) diagnostic codes.Results: In 2009, there were 115030 ED admissions for the associated diagnostic codes, whereas this decreased to 87212 in 2010. There was a 16% decrease in acute nasopharyngitis, 32.9% decrease in pneumonia, 18.8% decrease in acute broncitis, 59,2% decrease in allergic rhinitis, 61.3% decrease in lower respiratory tract diseases, 21.4% decrease in chronic obstructive lung disease, 20,5% decrease in asthma, 33.6% decrease in ischemic heart disease and acute myocardial infarction. All differences were found statistically significant. Cost saving of emergency drugs and services on site were 437,104 euros for 10 hospitals in a 5 month period, which is projected to be 3,147,148 euros for Istanbul annually, without calculating the prevented hospital treatment cost.Conclusion: ER admission rates for diseases associated with active and passive smoking were reduced by 24.2% as a result of smoking ban in Istanbul. Positive effects of clear indoor air ordinances are observed in a very short period, and therefore respiratory health professionals should be advocates for this policies against all odds. ER -