Persuasive Essay: Public Smoking Ban

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>.

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