What are the arguments FOR and AGAINST a ban on smoking in public places?

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What are the arguments FOR and AGAINST a ban on smoking in public places?

The tobacco plant is native to the America's and was first imported to England in the 1560's by Sir John Hawkins, an English slave trader. Tobacco itself received a cold reception on the continent and throughout the 16th and 17th centuries harsh punishments including 'lip-slitting' in Russia and even the death penalty in Turkey, were imposed on those caught 'lighting up' in public places. However, despite a threat of excommunication from the church by Pope Clement VIII, smoking became increasingly popular with Europeans, with the first Cuban cigars being sold in London in 1835 [www.forest.org]. Paper-rolled cigarettes followed (1832), with the first UK based cigarette factory opening several years later (1856) in Walworth.

Changing social attitudes saw smoking becoming a socially acceptable past time amongst all classes of society. This ideal furthered with both the Great War and World War II during which a staggering 80% percent of soldiers smoked, and cigarettes were rationed alongside other necessities such as food and clothing.

Though experiments carried out as early as 1964 By US surgeon General Luther Terry [-- Encarta 2000] showed