Compared to women who never smoked, the risk of SCD was significantly elevated in current smokers (relative risk 2.44) and former smokers (RR 1.40).

FORBES: No Surprise: Smoking and Sudden Cardiac Death Closely Tied

Of the 315 sudden deaths in the study, 75 were among current smokers, 148 were among recent or past smokers and 128 occurred in people who had never smoked.

BBC: Light smoking 'doubles sudden heart death risk in women'

But that drops to 38% for current smokers.

FORBES: The Smoking Gun: Women Catch Up To Men On Lung Cancer Risk

Smoking bans could have an effect on reducing heart attacks or heart disease generally by one of two major routes: either by inducing current smokers to quit or by reducing the exposure of non-smokers to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS).

FORBES: Do Smoking Bans Really Save Lives? If So, Whose?

The University of California, San Francisco, calculates that more than a million current US smokers 12-17 were recruited by the billions of tobacco impressions delivered, in theaters alone, annually.

FORBES: Should 'Rango' Have Been Rated R?

If the Miami verdict were ever implemented, smokers in 49 states would end up paying billions to current and past smokers in Florida, an outcome impossible to justify.

ECONOMIST: Blowing smoke

Dr Lawrence Whalley of the University of Aberdeen, who has led research showing that smokers' cognitive ability decreases with time, said the current study findings were very important.

BBC: NEWS | Health | Tobacco smoke dulls child brains