MANDATORY RULES AS A PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURE: A STUDY ON CARDIAC PATIENTS WITH RECENT ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME.

Introduction: Among the measures used to contain the COVID-19 pandemic in our country, in addition to the mandatory restriction on movement and business activity, there was an obligation to use face masks and keep social distance, and the vaccination program was implemented. On the other hand, the scourge of smoking continues to burden cardiovascular health for over a century in the form of a pandemic. However, even for smoking, the mandatory rule of the general avoidance of cigarette use in public places and workplaces has been applied. The study aims to detect the perception of peoples' obligation to followmeasures to limit the pandemic spread compared with the already valid mandatory ban on smoking in closed public places.

Methods: During the last semester, we used an anonymous questionnaire addressing 120 patients with recent acute coronary syndrome (38 inpatients and 82 outpatients) in the Cardiology Department of the General Hospital of Veroia in Greece. The epidemiological and clinical characteristics, as well as the personal beliefs of the respondents, were analyzed.

Results: Of the 120 studied patients (88 males), 42 were current smokers and 94 were fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Regarding the mandatory use of face masks, 79 patients (65.8%) answered that it was beneficial, whereas 44.2% and 45% were in favor of keeping social distances and quarantine implementation, respectively. Remarkably, 55 patients (45.8%) responded in favor of compulsory vaccination for the general population. Regarding the smoking ban, only 74 patients (61.7%) were in favor.

Conclusions: Although smoking is directly associated with cardiovascular risk, a notable percentage of patients presented with acute coronary syndrome opposed the ban on smoking in public places. On the other hand, the most acceptable measure to restrict COVID-19 was the mandatory use of face masks.