In an attempt to end the battle over work-place smoking, (i.e. in bars) the Indy Star and the anti-smoking lobby unsheathed the broad sword of science and assumed a position of triumph.

This weapon was honed by a report titled: "Estimating the Economic impact of Secondhand Smoke on Indiana in 2007." Today's star headlines conjecture that secondhand smoke is a problem costing Hoosiers $390 million a year.  The only problem is that there is no hard data to support the conclusions of the study. 

The data used for the analysis was based on hospital discharge reports, death rates and census data.  Using such data would go something like this...

A 52 year-old, non-smoking male, 5'8" tall, weighing 350 lbs dies in the ER from a massive heart attack.  Stricken with grief, his widow lights up a cigarette in the consultation room.  The physician appropriately notes under social history that his spouse smokes.  Researches conducting this study see his name pop up on the screen during their search and attribute this death to secondhand smoke--not his morbid obesity.

A child gets an ear infection.  One of the parents admits to smoking-but never around the children.  As above, the ear infection is attributed to second hand smoke.

You get the picture.  It's not possible to prove secondhand smoke is the causative agent.  I will concede that it is a contributor.  However, attempting to attribute full culpability upon secondhand smoke is folly.


Plain & Simple:  The danger here is that once again statistics are being put forth as hard evidence.  This information will be used to outlaw the legal practice of smoking in privately owned and operated businesses.  I don't fear the sword in this argument--It's big, but the edge is dull.  What I fear is the still concealed dagger of junk science and false pretense which has been far more damaging in recent years. It's just one more example of political smoke and mirrors.