The issue that I am going to address in this essay is the debate over banning smoking in public places.

Andy Cain 111

PSHCE Coursework B

The issue that I am going to address in this essay is the debate over banning smoking in public places. A lot of people feel very strongly on this issue despite the opinion they have. The reasons range from a health point to everybody’s rights as individuals. I think that people feel so strongly about it because it is a new scheme, which may ban something that the country is very used to. Some people (mainly non-smokers) believe a ban would be a good thing whilst (mainly smokers) believe that it would be a bad thing. There has been smoking in public places for a long time and the sudden change will have quite a significant effect on people. I will evaluate the different opinions in this essay and give my opinion.

The first opinion I have is a pro-smoking ban view. My source for this was . The author is anonymous however anybody can write to the site to make comments or write an article. They address a number of issues against allowing smokers to light up from the smell to the health risks associated with it for the smoker and the passive smoker. They mention about people dying every year from passive smoking and they comment on a smoker’s opinion of “everyone is harping on about their 'bad habit'”. This is one of their main points as they stress the fact that it harms others who are around them, not just the smoker themselves.

The second opinion I have obtained is an anti-smoking ban perspective. I located this from the BBC News Website. In their argument they state reasons such as “free choice for smokers” and they are fed up with being told it is bad for them as they claim to know the risks. They do not like the idea of being dictated to whether or not they can or cannot smoke as it takes away their rights as human beings. It also says that many smokers wish to quit however there are a percentage who enjoy a cigarette and if smoking is ...

This is a preview of the whole essay

I personally hold the perspective of the pro-smoking ban argument and that is what I think should be done about the situation. I despise the atmosphere that clings to smokers and particularly the undesirable health effects and odour caused by passive smoking. I think that they have every right to hold this opinion, as people who want smoking to be banned in public places are normally non-smokers, despite some of them being smokers who want to quit. Everybody should have the right to go out for a meal or a quiet drink without being engulfed in waves of foul cigarette smoke. If you are trying to give up this will not make it any easier and if you are a non-smoker you are inhaling fumes which are even more disgusting because you have not experienced before as much. Passive smokers are forced to endure the inhalation of toxins and poisons which destroys your body simply because somebody else wishes to pollute themselves.

My opinion of the second source is very different to what they think. I am all in favour of everybody being allowed to hold their own point of view however I cannot support it if it is having a detrimental effect on me and everyone else around the smokers. If smoking did not have these effects for people nearby I would happily let them carry on killing themselves; this however is not the case. Not only this but they continue to try to force their habits upon teenagers who start smoking because they think it’…s cool. It forces young people to cut years off the life simply because of peer pressure. I definitely do not think that they have the right to have this opinion because of the damaging effects of the smoke. Cigarettes contain:

Acetic Acid (Vinegar)
Acetone (Nail polish remover)
Ammonia (Cleaning Agent)
Arsenic (Poison used as an insecticide)
Cyanide (Poison which can cause brain damage and comas)
Butane (Lighter Fuel)
Cadmium (An heavy metal)
DDT (Pesticide which causes birth defects)
Ethanol (Alcohol)
Formaldehyde (Carcinogen used to preserve corpses)
Hexamine (Barbecue Lighter)
Methanol (Rocket Fuel)
Naphthalene (Moth Balls)
Nitrobenzene (Fuel Additive)
Toluene (Industrial Solvent)
Vinyl Chloride (Plastic Pipes)

If smokers realised this and they have some common sense they would stop. If these toxins were not expelled in second hand smoke then I wouldn’t mind however they are and I do not want these chemicals in my body.

My personal opinion on this matter is that smokers should not be allowed to smoke in public places, if at all which costs the NHS billions. It is incredibly damaging and increases risks of contracting Cancer, especially Lung Cancer. If I had the final say smoking would be banned outright everywhere which would save thousands of lives and save the NHS money which it does not have to spend on suicidal individuals who inhale cyanide.