1. Health and Economic Impact of the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act (NCIAA) Chris Pritsos, John Packham and Wei Yang After more than ten years of trying to work through the legislative process to restrict smoking with no success the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act was placed on the ballot in 2006 through the ballot initiative process. The ballot initiative passed by a 54 to 46 margin despite heavy opposition. The law came under attack during the last legislative session and may come under attack during the current legislative session.

2. Current Study o Using more the 4 million hospital admission records for Nevada and regression modeling we compare predicted hospital admissions in Nevada for heart attacks and strokes before and after the NCIAA went into effect. o We conducted an economic impact analyses based upon these findings.

3. Findings Statistically significant reduction in acute myocardial infarction (heart attacks) and stroke. Statistically significant reduction in acute myocardial infarction (heart attacks) and stroke. On average 346 fewer AMI’s per year since the implementation of the NCIAA. On average 346 fewer AMI’s per year since the implementation of the NCIAA. On average 315 fewer strokes per year since the implementation of the law. On average 315 fewer strokes per year since the implementation of the law.

4. Findings Average annual decrease in hospital bill charges of $23.5 million for AMI and $9.8 million for stroke since the NCIAA went into effect. Average annual decrease in hospital bill charges of $23.5 million for AMI and $9.8 million for stroke since the NCIAA went into effect. Average annual decrease of $13 million in Medicare and Medicaid charges since the NCIAA went into effect Average annual decrease of $13 million in Medicare and Medicaid charges since the NCIAA went into effect

5. Conclusion Despite poor statewide compliance, the NCIAA has had a positive effect on the health of Nevadans but is also reducing health care costs for the state and federal governments. Despite poor statewide compliance, the NCIAA has had a positive effect on the health of Nevadans but is also reducing health care costs for the state and federal governments. Imagine the lives and cost savings to Nevada if this ban was expanded to cover all segments of the population. Imagine the lives and cost savings to Nevada if this ban was expanded to cover all segments of the population.