More people quitting would also decrease rates of passive smoking sufferers. There is concern today about passive smoking and recent research has shown that non-smokers can suffer health problems if they spend long periods of time among people who do smoke. Having a ban would make non-smokers less susceptible to second-hand smoke, and shows these people respect by not forcing them to sit it smoker’s fumes.
Also, not smoking in public buildings generally creates a nicer, fresher atmosphere, especially in restaurants and clubs.
Why it shouldn’t be banned
Firstly, smoking undoubtedly helps many people to relax. For some, it even improves concentration. Many people like to smoke before exams or when they are relaxing with friends. It is considered sociable and if there was a ban and someone wanted a cigarette, they would be forced to leave the group they were with to go outside to smoke.
As well as this, Governments throughout the world make huge profits from levying taxes on cigarettes. This provides funds which are used for building schools, hospitals and other public amenities. It also creates jobs through many lines, such as production and advertising, which helps the economy. For instance, the tobacco industry employs tens of thousands of people throughout the world, particularly in poorer countries like Zimbabwe or India. Without cigarettes, these people would have no jobs.
Enforcing a law against smoking in public buildings creates extra problems and work for Police and law enforcers, who have to chase up owners who allow smokers or charging smokers with fines.
Another argument is that people should have the right to choose whether they want smoke or not, and when or where they want to. To respect non-smokers, there could be allocated non-smokers sections or rooms.
Effects of Smoking
Everyone is aware of the damaging health effects smoking has on the body, due to NHS advertising, medical advice, laws enforcing warnings on cigarette boxes and even sadly for some of us having to witness the effects for ourselves as family members of friends are affected.
This image shows which body areas are affected by smoking and the damage that is done.
It has been proven that tobacco smoke to contain over 4000 different chemicals, some of which have proven links to cancer and other diseases. Below is a table of just a few of this chemicals and their effects.
As well as affecting your health, smoking also has other long term disadvantages. For instance, it can make you less fertile, and smoking whilst pregnant can be particularly harmful to the baby, causing stillbirths and premature children, along with other complications. It is also not only your own health that is affected, but the people around you have to endure the hazard too, through the effect of passive smoking.
Risk from passive smoking
When smokers smoke, they leave fumes in the air as second hand smoke which can be inhaled by other people and cause them damage too. Second hand smoke consists of two types of smoke: sidestream smoke, smoke from the end of the cigarette, and mainstream smoke, which is smoke that is exhaled from the smoker. People can be unaware of the dangers of this smoke, as 85% of it cannot be seen or smelt and can linger in the room hours after a cigarette has been finished, even if windows are open. However, people who breathe in this second hand smoke are still as susceptible to the same effects of cancer and disease.
Secondhand smoke is known to contain the same harmful toxic chemicals, including the 69 of these have proven links to cancer, such as arsenic, benzene and formaldehyde. Inhaling these chemicals can increase the risk of lung cancer by 24% and heart disease by 25%.
Second hand smoke is especially damaging to children because their bodies are still developing. However, apparently half of all British children are growing up in homes with at least one smoker occupant. According to NHS directs online encyclopedia, “One recent study found that children who live in households where both parents smoke have a 72% risk of developing respiratory illnesses.”
Conclusion
Overall, I believe smoking should be banned. It is a good kick-start to help people quit and would save many lives. I feel the harm caused by smoking overrides any benefits and that smoking should be banned altogether, although some people would not agree with this.
By banning smoking in public places, less people will fall ill with smoking related illnesses and makes it easier to enjoy where you go.
Bibliography