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[15 Nov 2006|03:51pm] |
Smoking in Public Places is harmful for both the smoker, and the people around them. Smoking has recently had a ban put on it in Columbia, Missouri. Therefore, my proposal is; in order to have a healthier environment, smoking in public places should be eliminated.
Smoking cigarettes is not just harmful to people who smoke them, but also harmful for anyone who is around them. Breathing in smoke from other people’s cigarettes is considered as a major health risk all over the world, and causes more deaths every year than many major diseases. More than 400,000 deaths in the U.S. each year are from smoking-related illnesses (Facts About Smoking).
The problem with smoking is that people who smoke are considered to be a danger to society because their smoking causes harm to others, even if they are not aware. There is evidence that has been proven that smoking harms both those who smoke and those who are exposed to second hand smoke. Today, smokers are everywhere. Do you remember the last time you went out and didn’t see a smoker nearby? The overall fact is that smoking is not healthy.
Secondhand smoke is when smoke from a burning end of a cigarette, cigar or pipe is inhaled by non-smokers. Non-smokers who inhale second hand smoke are at risk of eye, nose, and throat irritation along with headaches, lung cancer, and it’s possible that the smoke may contribute to heart disease. Those children who are exposed to second hand smoke have an increased risk of getting bronchitis, pneumonia, ear infections, build-up of fluid in the middle ear, asthma symptoms, and a decrease in the lungs functioning correctly. Also smoke makes some people dizzy or light headed, and sick to their stomachs.
My proposal is that I believe smoking should be banned from public places in all of Missouri. Here in Columbia, there is a smoking ban that has been passed on October 10, 2006. The ban said that as of January 9, 2007, smoking will be banned in all bars, restaurants, and many other public places. Business owners and their patrons will have 90 days to adjust (Smoking ban passes). In fact, The Blue Note, a local concert venue, has already taken this new ban into effect. After being a venue that allows smoking for 25 years, it is becoming a smoke-free environment. When I go to concerts there, I usually come home smelling like a chimney, but when I went there on Saturday, November 11, I came back home smelling the same way as I had left, smoke-free. Smoking is a dangerous habit that not only affects the smoker, but those around him or her. Banning smoking in public places will keep non-smokers safe. Is there a reason why they should be forced around second hand smoke? Furthermore, there are many states that have already banned smoking in public places.
Now, all we need to do is convince each states government that hasn’t banned smoking in their state to do so. The reason why, is because smoking is dangerous to anyone who comes in contact whether it’s voluntary or involuntary. Therefore, by banning smoking in public places, health risks relating to smoke will decrease for those who choose not to smoke and will be exposed to clean air when indoor at a public place.
To justify this situation, why should innocent people have to suffer through any serious side effects and uncomfortable circumstances that have to deal with second hand smoke? This is a free country where people can do what they want in out country regulations. People get upset when their rights are taken away. So, should nonsmokers have the right to enjoy clean air as much as smokers have the right to smoke? There should be laws to ban smoking in public places everywhere. These innocent people need to be protected. Those who are exposed to second hand smoke are breathing in about 599 known ingredients and chemicals such as ammonia, caffeine, terpinolene, and countless other ingredients that are obviously bad for you. (Martin) The tobacco industry has gone as far as trying to convince public places that they should use good ventilation systems to make the workplace healthier for everyone. But healthier for who? The tobacco company’s only concern is to sell their product which they make billions of dollars off of every year. But the fact is, ventilation systems cannot remove all toxins and cancer causing chemicals from the air. Only smoke-free places protect people from the health dangers of secondhand smoke. Tobacco company’s make these myths about ventilation systems to keep the money flowing not from the clean air, but into their pockets. They know if people can’t smoke or work in a public place that will mean that is less money spent on cigarettes. In the satire, “Thank You For Smoking”, a lobbyist tries to do everything in his power to try and keep people from not smoking. It’s a fresh perspective on how it is on the end of the people trying to promote cigarette use. He even goes as far as to use reverse psychology into getting people to keep smoking. Just because tobacco companies pay for anti-smoking ads, it doesn’t mean they don’t want you to smoke, they do it so it looks better on their part.
In conclusion, studies have been shown that smoking and secondhand smoke will harm the health of people can cause death to those exposed to it. To permit smoking in public places may help people stay away from smoking. There may be people who will say they will lose business if this law is passed in their city or state. A ban could actually increase people going out because non smoking would be more comfortable. Also with the states taking a stand, it may cause people to take another look at the deadly factors of cancer sticks, also known as cigarettes.
I believe that banning smoking in public places will benefit everyone. Nonsmokers will benefit because they are not exposed to unwanted smoke from other peoples cigarettes. Nonsmokers will be able to go in public places and not have the smell of tobacco stench on their clothes. In my experience when I go to a concert, I always come out smelling as if I were smoking all night. But in reality, I’m not a smoker so therefore, I don’t desire the smells of cigarettes like some people do. I also believe that those who do smoke will respect those who wish to stay away from cigarettes smokes and other tobacco related products. This law may even help smokers reduce the amount of cigarettes they smoke every day by not allowing it in public places. Therefore, to ban smoking in public places can be beneficial to anyone.
Works Cited
Martin, Terry. "What's in a cigarette?." About.com. 06 Dec, 2004.
About.com. 15 Nov 2006
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"Smoking ban passes." Columbia Missourian. 10, Oct, 2006. Columbia Missourian.
15 Nov 2006 .
"Smoking facts and tips for quitting." Facts About Smoking.
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH. 15 Nov 2006
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