A new study in the U.S., Canada, and Europe showed smoking bans in public places really do work.
    
Reuters reported that the study adds to the already strong evidence that secondhand smoke causes heart attacks and that passing 100 percent smoke-free laws in public places and workplaces greatly help reduce the amount of heart attacks.

"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," James Lightwood of the University of California-San Francisco, said in a statement.

The study showed the heart attack rates fall immediately after a smoking ban is put into place, dropping 17 percent the first year and by as much as 36 percent after three years.

"A well-designed smoking restriction law can significantly reduce heart attacks in the community and has a beneficial impact on public health," Lightwood added.

Secondhand smoke kills an estimated 46,000 Americans every year, according to the CDC and Heart Association.