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Smokin' and Drinkin'
There is new evidence that smoking kills, but not in the way we suspected.
Research by professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee indicates that 'smoking bans' seem to have been followed by an increase in drunk-driving offences and in fatal accidents involving alcohol.
The study published in the 'Journal of Public Economics' concludes that smokers are driving farther to places where smoking is allowed.
Smoking (cigarettes or cigars) in public places in the United States is regulated state-by-state and even county-by-county. There is no national/federal uniform law.
The report by the mid-west university found that automobile deaths increased significantly in Pennsylvania after the neighbouring state of Delaware introduced a smoking ban in 2002.
Basically, men and women are bar-hopping to a place where they have a puff, indoors or outdoors.
Banning smoking is great in theory. But if it has the result of more death on the road, then it is not so good.
Not a lucky strike.
