A new review of 13 U.S. and international studies finds that banning public smoking can reduce the rate of heart attacks by more than one-third, Reuters reported Sept. 21.

Researcher James Lightwood of the University of California at San Francisco and colleagues said that the studies show that heart-attack rates fell an average of 17 percent in the year after smoking bans were imposed in the U.S., Canada and Europe, and up to 36 percent within three years.

"This study adds to the already strong evidence that secondhand smoke causes heart attacks, and that passing 100-percent smoke-free laws in all workplaces and public places is something we can do to protect the public," said Lightwood.

David Goff of Wake Forest University School of Medicine added, "At a time of great concern over the financial sustainability of our healthcare system, smoke-free laws represent an inexpensive approach to reducing heart attacks, and, probably, other cardiovascular conditions."

The findings appear online in the journal Circulation.