When will the government realize that
public smoking is toxic to public health? Exposure to fumes can be just as
unhealthy for a non-smoker as it is for the smoker. Smoking should be banned in
public because people are exposed to hazardous smoke in many places, a ban can
lead to prevention and quitting of smoking and second hand smoke can cause many
illnesses and diseases.
People are exposed to second hand
smoke in many places and it is very dangerous. Homes, cars, and work are some
places where exposure occurs (Secondhand Smoke). By allowing smokers to
smoke in those places, we are putting others at risk of smoking-related
problems. Furthermore, the most dangerous gases feature in the highest levels
within side stream smoke (Few Facts). Due to this, there is no safe
level of exposure to secondhand smoke (Secondhand Smoke). People are at
great chance of disease and illness by just walking past a smoker.
Smoke free environments can lead to
more smokers quitting and less non-smokers starting to smoke. In a survey, it
was reported that about 7 out of 10 smokers want to quit, and they believe that
a smoke-free environment will help them (A few facts). When a smoker
tries to quit, they may see others smoking in public and this can cause an urge
to smoke. Each day more than 3800 people under 18 try their first cigarette (Fast
Facts). Of those 3800, 1000 begin smoking cigarettes on a daily basis (Fast
Facts). When kids see people smoking, they may think that it’s “cool” and
they will try smoking for the same reason.
Although, smoking is not healthy, the
government gets much needed money from cigarettes and banning public smoking
would decrease the income. In 2011, state governments received $25.3 billion
from tobacco taxes and legal settlements (Fast Facts). However, is it
really worth it getting money from something that causes cancer and other
illnesses? People die from second hand smoke and now the government is getting
money from the source. Even with the income the government receives, the price
of smoking outweighs that profit by about nine to one.
Second hand smoke can cause many
serious illnesses and diseases. For example, the chance of lung cancer is
increased by 16-19% when in contact with second hand smoke (Few Facts).
Second hand smoke increases the risk of heart disease by 25-35% (Few Facts).People
are exposed to smoke in many places so the risks of diseases related to smoking
are increasing even in non-smokers. In addition, children exposed to second
hand smoke have an increased risk of colds, pneumonia, bronchitis, and asthma (Secondhand
Smoke). This can lead to many lost days of school, hospitalizations, and in
some cases, even death in children.
In conclusion, public smoking is a danger
to smokers, as well as non-smokers and should be banned entirely. Starting a
petition, contacting a senator or representative, just trying to raise
awareness about this issue will help to get it resolved. Second hand smoke is a
risk to everyone and public smoking allows it to reach all types of people.
Knowing about the dangers of public smoking can result in healthier people and
a brighter future for everyone.
Sources Cited
"A few facts about
Smoking." Wigan Council.
Wigan Council, 2012. Web. 28 Jan 2012.
<http://www.wigan.gov.uk/Services/BusinessRegeneration/HealthAndSafetyAtWork/FactsAboutSmoking.htm>.
CDC, . "Smoking and
Tobacco Use Fast Facts." Centers
for disease control and prevention. National Center for Disease Prevention
and Health, 2011. Web. 28 Jan 2012.
<http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fast_facts/>.
"General Smoking Facts." American lung association.
American Lung Association, 2011. Web. 28
Jan 2012. http://www.lung.org/stop-smoking/about- smoking/facts-figures/general-smoking-facts.html
Molyneaux, George.
"International debate education association." Smoking ban in public places.
IDEA Inc., 2010. Web. 29 Feb 2012.
<http://www.idebate.org/debatabase/topic_details.php?topicID=526>.
National Cancer
Institute, . "Secondhand Smoke and Cancer." National cancer institute fact
sheet. National Cancer Institute, 2011. Web. 28 Jan 2012. <http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Tobacco/ETS>.
There is no right or wrong side on an issue, only a view. This may or may not be my personal view, and you may have another view on this topic. Leave a comment! Thanks!
