Mar 28, 2014 01:11 AM EDT By Jaleesa Baulkman, UniversityHerald Reporter

Public smoking bans have helped reduced the rates of both preterm births and children's hospital attendance for asthma by 10 percent, according to a recent study Reuters reported.

In a study recently published in the Lancet, researchers found that the introduction of laws banning smoking in public places and work places in North America and Europe as been quickly followed by large drops in rates of preterm births and asthma attacks.

"Our research shows that smoking bans are an effective way to protect the health of our children," study leader Jasper Been told Reuters.

For the study, researchers analyzed 11 studies done in North America and Europe, involving more than 2.5 million births, and nearly 250,000 asthma exacerbations. Based on their findings, rates of both preterm births and hospital attendance for asthma were reduced by 10 percent within a year of smoke-free laws coming into effect.

Previous studies have proven that laws banning smoking in public places such as bars, restaurants, offices and other workplaces protect adults from the health threats associated with passive smoking. Been said he believes the recent findings should help to accelerate the introduction of anti-smoking legislation in cities, countries and districts that have yet to do so.

Currently only 16 percent of the world's population is covered by comprehensive smoke-free laws, and 40 percent of children worldwide are regularly exposed to second-hand smoke.

 "This research has demonstrated the very considerable potential that smoke-free legislation offers to reduce preterm births and childhood asthma attacks," study co-author Professor Aziz Sheikh said in a statement. "The many countries that are yet to enforce smoke-free legislation should in the light of these findings reconsider their positions on this important health policy question."

According to a press release, To date, most studies have looked at the impact of smoking bans on adult outcomes, but children account for more than a quarter of all deaths and over half of all healthy years of life lost due to exposure to second-hand smoke.

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