Increase in Suicide by Asphyxiation in New York City After the Publication of “Final Exit”

The authors of this study sought to determine whether the number of suicides involving methods recommended in “Final Exit” increased in New York City during the year after its publication. They found a substantial increase in the number of asphyxiations by means of plastic bags but insignificant changes in the number of suicides by other methods and in the overall suicide rate. (16 refs.)