A new international report on the benefits of smoke-free laws shows their introduction leads to a big drop in hospitalisation for heart attacks and respiratory illness.
The report by the American Heart Association Journal analysed 45 studies on the health effects of smoke-free laws from countries including America, Scandanavia, South America and New Zealand.
It shows smoke-free legislation led to a 15% drop in hospital stays for heart attacks and a 24% decrease for respiratory illness such as asthma and bronchitis.
The report says the more restrictions there are on smoking in workplaces, restaurants and bars, the greater the health benefits.
Heart Foundation medical director Norman Sharpe says the report validates New Zealand's smoke-free laws, but they need to be extended.
"We've known for a long time that the inhalation of second-hand smoke is very harmful for health. Now, in retrospect, we see that the smoke-free legisation has been very beneficial for the public. We need take it further for our children."
Professor Sharpe believes New Zealand should also follow Australia's lead and introduce plain packaging on cigarettes.
