Reassessing the evidence relating smoking bans to heart disease

► Recent publications concern reductions in heart disease following smoking bans. ► Meta-analysis estimates of the reduction have ranged from 10% to 19%. ► These often have major weaknesses, ignoring control data and underlying trends. ► We describe a consistent and valid approach to estimate effects. ► Our meta-analysis with this approach gives a 2.7% (95% CI 2.1-3.4%) reduction.