The numbers of people who smoke have increased over
the years. They still choose to smoke even though they are equipped with
the knowledge of how unhealthy smoking can be. They decide themselves to the
health risk of smoking. Smoking does not only affect the smokers negatively,
but also the people around the smokers will be objected too because when people
smoke in public, the smoke will travels everywhere throuh the air. Secondhand
smoke is the third leading cause of preventable death (after active smoking and
alcohol), according to the Manitoba Medical Association. They also say that the
smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals, 50 of which are known to be cancer-related.
Secondhand
smoke has been linked to heart and respiratory disease; lung, breast, cervical,
and nasal sinus cancers; strokes and miscarriages. In children, dangers include
sudden infant death syndrome, fetal growth impairment, bronchitis, pneumonia,
asthma and middle-ear disease. I agree with the author that smoking will affect
children health easily beacause Children are easily influenced in their growing
stages. In addition, in their growing stages they will imitate people around
them beacause they cannot differentiate between right and wrong. Beside that,
teenagers who see people smoke will think that it is “cool” smoking at the
streets and they imitate the smokers. It has been proven in my country, there
are a lot of teenagers smoking, even in public. They smoke with their friend
after school, smoke outside hiding from their parents. People who smoke in
public portray a bad example and subject themselves to deadly diseases, as well
as long- and short-term health problems. Non-smokers should not have to live
with the consequences of smokers' actions.
Not
permitting smoking in public areas may help people refrain from smoking. Some
argue that there would be a significant decline in the clientele in bars and
clubs, but non-smokers actually outnumber smokers three to one. A ban could
actually increase people going out because nonsmokers would be more
comfortable. There may also be a sudden
realization of the dangers of smoking. With the state government taking a
stand, it may cause people to take another look at the deadly factors of
"cancer sticks."
After a
recent incident from the widely known Target Market program, people are
beginning to feel that anti-tobacco efforts are losing their focus. At a local
event a couple years ago, a punk band hired by the anti-drug campaign played
songs that included positive images of cigarettes and other drugs in their
lyrics. This is not the most efficient way to use money set aside for anti-drug
programs. Instead, this money could be used to enforce the laws that should be
passed to ban smoking in public places.
Sometimes
those you think would be against the idea of making smoking illegal actually
agree with it. Patrick Reynolds, heir to the tobacco empire, rejected becoming
president of his family's tobacco company because it was proven to have caused
both his father's and his older brother's deaths. Now, he runs a campaign to
stop people from smoking. In his presentation, he states that a smoker will
spend about $1,400 a year for one pack a day. Reynolds also says that the more
secondhand smoke you inhale, the more susceptible you are to health problems.
People working in casinos, for example, are up to eight times as likely to be
in danger of the effects of secondhand smoke. Banning smoking in public places
can prevent death and illness.
Some say
that no matter what, nothing will reduce or stop cigarette smoking altogether.
The laws banning smoking might convince some to quit and create a safer
environment for everyone else. Also, some argue that there isn't money to carry
this out. The money that goes into programs such as Target Market and Big
Tobacco will be cut and the difference will go toward law enforcement.
Smoking is
a dangerous habit that not only affects the smoker, but those around him or her.
Banning the smoking in public will keep non-smokers safer. People who smoke
subject themselves to deadly diseases by choice. Why should non-smokers be
forced to be around it?
Some argue that smokers have
their right to choose, but should the innocent pepole be objected to the
unhelthy risk of second hand smoke? Definitely not! They have right to live the
healthy life, breathe the fresh and clean air. Banning to smoke in public
places does not mean the smoker can smoke in their homes, in homes there are
children, pregnant wives, grand shildren and other innocents, hime is a plce
where the family gather not the palce where the toxic fumes gather. The smokers
cannot risk them from their unhealthy action. If smokers want to smoke just
keep away from the crowds do not smoke in crowded placel. If you want to have a
healthier and better life, just quit smoking.
