Passive Smoking.
Passive smoke is the ‘side stream’, which has been inhaled then exhaled by the smoker1. It contains the same 4,000 chemicals1 and 60 known or suspected carcinogens D as mainstream smoke1. Non-smokers have a 25% increased risk of heart disease, lung cancer G and respiratory disease. 12,000 cases of heart disease recorded in the UK are attributed to passive smoking1. Approximately 22,000 deaths in Europe are caused by passive smoke.10 Non-smokers complain of eye irritation, headaches, dizziness, nausea and aggravated asthma caused by passive smoking.3 In 1995 Beryl Rowe received £25,000 compensation from Stockport Council. She retired on grounds of ill health, suffering eye, nose, throat and bronchial hypersensitivity, which return in smoky atmospheres.38 Alternatively, the two passive smoking cases only brought to court in the UK failed because “there had been little research into possible connections between passive smoking and late onset of asthma in adults”.26
One experiment found no evidence of harm on a mouse exposed to cigarette smoke for up to 693 hours.26 The British Medical Journal states “anti-smoking industry has deliberately inflated the risks and has dismissed research that doesn’t support its pre-conceived ideas”. Out of 37 studies, 23 failed to show a link between passive smoking and lung cancer. However, only the remaining 14 studies were published25. This conflicting evidence shows the controversial issue surrounding the ethics and morals of cigarette smoking. Smokers have the right to smoke but should in a politically correct manner and be made aware of the dangers smoking causesH, non-smokers have the right to clean air and be exposed to harmful chemicals.2 Ryo Otsuka noted after thirty minute exposures to tobacco smoke, there was no change in smokers blood vessels but non smokers’ blood vessels were constricted5
Asthma
Asthmatics exposed to high levels of cigarette smoke showed no positive reactions, “so tobacco smoke has never been proved to be an allergen”24. In 1970’s doctors advised asthmatics to smoke to relieve their symptoms, as nicotine encourages the production of adrenaline, relaxing muscles. Nicotine inhibits serotonin production (related to histamine) which plays a major part in allergic responses.24 From one case in 1975 where a patient working in a smoking area, “became so tight with wheezing and asthma that she could not get her breath” for which there was no medical evidence, linked 34 million other cases.26 A study of children in Aberdeen showed that asthmatic cases had doubled between 1972 – 1988 but during the same time period the number of smokers dropped from 52% to 33%24
Smoking mothers
Pregnant women who smoke increase their risk of miscarriage I and 3,800 low birth weight babies are born each year6, due to smoking mothers. There is a 50% increased chance of a baby developing respiratory disease11, reduced lung function4 and chest infections I in later life, due to nicotine passing through the umbilical chord.
Nicotine causes premature birth11 and enters the mother’s milk. Babies born to smoking families absorb nicotine causing the babies’ heart to beat faster and be prone to allergies.10 Children suffer from, middle ear disease, asthma attacks, sore throats and coughing D. Smoking kills 200 babies from cot deaths and 44 from bronchitis5. However, cot deaths occur in non-smoking families.20 Children whose parents smoke are more likely to become smokers themselves D.
Children.
“One third of children who try smoking in primary school start smoking” and “one in five schoolchildren under 16 is a smoker”. The earlier the starting age of smoking, the more damaging the consequences of disease in later lifeJ. it is illegal to buy cigarettes under the age of 16, when children should make their own decisions. “Smoking is a social prop for children who are insecure”14. Children idolise celebrities many of them publicly contributing to adolescent smoke on screen 39. Children who start smoking don’t think they’ll be smoking for life13. One study reported that 12 children showed “signs of addiction after one puff” J and that children are more likely to smoke if parents, siblings48 or friends smoke J. The most popular brands smoked by children are those most widely advertised.21 Children have no legal protection from passive smoke6, are more vulnerable as their bodies are less developed and they are less likely to avoid or complain about the smoke D
Smoking At Work.
“30% of adults in the UK smoke” therefore it follows that “30% of a workforce smoke.”9 Smokers take regular breaks during the day and 21 million working days annually are lost to industry for bronchitis and emphysema alone. 31 One employer made smokers work extra hours to make up for the breaks compared to non-wmokers.8 Smokers take paid leave for smoke related illnesses, amounting to £6 billion.31 discriminating against smokers.8 Alternatively, smokers should not be banned from paid leave for smoke related illnesses.28 88% of Europeans voted D for a ban on smoking to remove the discrimination on non-smokers. However, all employees needs must be included otherwise this will lead to “resentment and enforcement problems”8 thus increasing stress causing more people to smoke.9 Companies have introduced smoke free areas for a safe, healthy working environment, as the harmful effects from smoking are widely recognised and employers are liable for damaged health caused to non-smokers by smokeD.
Public Places.
Smoking is banned from many public places including public transport D, hotels and bars “leaving only the home where someone else is at risk”.1 80% of Europeans votedD for protection from smoking in restaurants7 but if banned “£346 million could be lost in income as well as 45,000 jobs.”29 ‘Restaurants should have the right to decide the policies they want.’ 41
Cigarette Companies.
Cigarette companies are under strict regulations regarding advertising. Cigarette companies must print The Chief Medical Officers’ Warning “SMOKING CAUSES FATAL DISEASES” on all cigarettes packages. An advertisement for “Davidoff Classics” containing “10mg tar and 0.9mg nicotine” whereas the “light” version contains “7mg tar and 0.6mg nicotine” 44 L. Phillip Morris warns that Marlboro Light are no safer than other cigarettesK. Cigarette companies are banned from TV advertising where children may view.4 The government has pledged to crack down on cigarette advertising but it will take four years until motor racing obey the new rulesJ. This “restricts commercial freedom on advertising which offends free enterprise”.36 British American Tobacco, has been litigated against over trying to “water down” health warnings by the World Health Organisation.M Cigarette companies target third world Nations because anti-smoking campaigns reduce profits in the West.18
The Government
The Government taxes cigarettes amounting to 79% of the total cost in the UK30. Out of every 100 cigarettes sold world wide, the Governments sell 55, and tax half of the remaining 45 cigarettes. Governments, “never encourage the complete ban of cigarette consumption due to the profit they make”.18
Addiction.
Smokers are aware of the damages they cause to themselves but are treated by the NHS for “self inflicted illnesses”. “You cannot not treat smokers who are suffering from lung cancer just because they brought it upon themselves” otherwise you would not “treat a rugby players broken leg because they brought it upon themselves by playing a dangerous game”.23 Smokers cost the NHS and are subsidised by tax revenues.23 but smokers contribute to the NHS and the Government revenue, from which the NHS is financed.23 Removing freedoms, such as choosing to smoke violates human rights and would be ‘the beginning of the erosion of all liberties’19. Smokers should “not be forced to be the same as non smokers”19 as ‘they do not have the right to dictate the policy on smoking’29 People are ‘free to decide what to buy and have responsibility for their buying decisions’27 Terence Conran’ stated “adults should have the right to do what they wish as long as it doesn’t upset reasonable people or break the law”37
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