Premium Essay

Smoking Ban

In:

Submitted By ksmit366
Words 1729
Pages 7
Katie Smith
Shaniquewa Jackson
Mr. High
Research Paper
3-19-12
Why America Should Ban Smoking
Tobacco has been around for more than four hundred years and is still very popular as of today. Millions of Americans smoke cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco products on a daily basis that is harmful to the body. However, smoking has become one of the biggest controversies in today's society. This personal experience clearly shows that smoking needs to be banned. “Gail Routh worked as a flight attendant for nearly twenty-seven years. Routh was a nonsmoker all her life, but after working in contact with secondhand smoke on airplanes she contracted lung cancer. Gail Routh sued the tobacco industry for lung cancer and bronchitis that was linked to the expose to secondhand smoke (Hudson, 2004).” In 1964, the United States Surgeon General declared that smoking was bad for one's health and was related to lung cancer. Therefore, smoking should be banned in all public places to prevent contracting lung cancer from first or second hand smoke, enable those with lung conditions to be able to hold jobs in places that they would not be able to because of the smoke in the air, and help businesses keep their employees safer while generating more revenue, which in turn would save thousands of lives each year.
Tobacco use kills nearly 470,000 Americans each year and is among one of the leading causes of preventable death. Smoking is also legal at the age eighteen in the United States; however, many non-smokers say that it should be restricted in public places such as restaurants, bars, and even workplaces. Firsthand and secondhand or “passive” smoke is detrimental to the health of the public and can cause serious health problems. According to Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights, “secondhand smoke is the third leading cause of preventable death in the United States.” “For every eight

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Smoking Ban

...Smoking was socially acceptable in the past, however as society changes so do their views on smoking now. Banning smoking inside was the first step to reduce the use of cigarette smoke for people who don’t smoke. Now there is great concern about people smoking outside in groups. Outdoor smoking cannot be banded for people will find ways around it, but regulating outdoor smoking will have an effect. Regulating outdoor smoking would not limit the pollution of butts everywhere, or reduce the amount of second hand smoke inhaled and there is no hard proof on health factors from outdoor smoking. The pollution of cigarette butts everywhere will most likely to continue. Local state agencies should’ve taken inconsideration when banning indoor smoking. Where did they think smokers are going to put their butts when forced to smoke outside. It’s easier to throw butts on the ground than in an ash container. Or people who do smoke should police up after themselves, and then there wouldn’t be so much pollution. That will never happen! When the community is worried about butts being at parks and beaches, they need to be concerned about other pollutants as well. Such as broken glass, or garbage that wasn’t thrown away. Maybe it’s time that cigarette companies start making biodegradable filters, so there would be no pollution. Can outdoor second hand smoke...

Words: 957 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Smoking Ban?

...SMOKING BAN? As the years go by and society changes new laws surface to protect us from harm. Or do they? The laws today compared to the laws from decades ago have morphed and changed dramatically; some for the good and others for the worse. For example, in today’s day and age it is hard to discipline children and give a little tough love when they misbehave in public places. If a parent is caught in the act of spanking their child due to disciplinary reasons the parent can be fined, jailed, or even worse, have social services called on the parent or parents and have their children stripped from them. There is a major difference between abuse and a subtle smack on the wrist or behind and most parents understand the difference. Twenty years ago seeing a child get their behind busted would of been no big deal. Today’s new laws seem to be all or nothing in the aspect that there are hardly few reasonable limitations and boundaries. These new laws may be about protecting our safety and well-being, but if we look behind the curtain some of these new laws are starting to represent how far the state and or federal government will go to the extent of controlling how Americans should live. A state wide law that seems to be becoming popular in the United States this past couple decades is the smoking ban. Over half of the United States contains these laws and the 100% smoking ban law prohibits smokers from smoking in any enclosed establishment as well as some outdoor establishments...

Words: 1558 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Smoking Ban

...Natallia Harry Professor Deavers ENG 111/9 12.09.09 Smoking bans Lately, the health hazards connected with "passive smoking" or "second-hand smoke" - also known as "environmental tobacco smoke”, have been gradually getting increased recognition. The majority of people in modern society are aware that smoking can cause health problems not only in smokers but in people nearby. In recent years many cities, districts and whole states have cracked down on smoking in public. As of October 2009, nearly 60 percent of the U.S. population, or more than 175 million people, live in areas that have passed strong smoke-free laws covering restaurants and bars – a figure that has nearly doubled in size in three years ( Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids). While the purpose of smoke-free laws is to protect health, some have expressed concern that an unintended side effect might be economic losses, especially within the hospitality industry. In fact, according to the Report of the Surgeon General ,who is the leading spokesperson on matters of public health in the federal government, “The results of all credible peer- reviewed studies show that smoke-free policies and regulations do not have a negative impact on business revenues … and they are the most effective way to improve worker and business health”( Report of the Surgeon General). The number of smokers in America is truly a staggering number; according to an in-depth study by the Institute of Medicine, approximately...

Words: 3499 - Pages: 14

Premium Essay

Smoking Ban

...Smoking Ban – Studentereksamen maj 2008 1) Give an outline of the different positions on the smoking ban which are presented in the texts. 2) Comment on the use of exaggeration and irony in text 3. Illustrate your answer with quotations from the text. 3) Discuss whether society has a responsibility to prevent people from smoking or whether it is up to the individual to decide. 1) The smoking ban contains different kinds of restrictions, which results in; it will be illegal to smoke at public places or work places. Penalties have been implemented to make the British people follow the new rules. The first article written by Robin Mckie, a science editor on The Observer has a very positive view on the smoking ban, which came into force in England in the year of 2007. Mckie uses a lot of examples from the real world to support his opinion. He mentions among other things Helena, Montana, where the number of heart attacks fell by 40 per cent in the six-month smoking ban. Mckie hopes it will motivate the smokers to quit the bad habit. It will also benefit the non-smokers because it minimizes the risk of getting lung cancer or heart diseases. The second article written by A. N. Wilson has a very different point of view on the smoking ban. He combines smoking with literature, and writes that the greatest writers of our time were smokers. He believes that a lot of their inspiration came, while they were lighting a cigarette, and he is afraid that the new ban will...

Words: 1042 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Smoking Ban

...laws that ban smoking inside bars and other public places. Many businesses and schools have followed this anti-smoking movement and now restrict their employees and students to smoke only in specific areas around the office place and campus. Richland College’s current policy on smoking restricts smoking to certain areas around campus; however, there is movement towards banning smoking on campus altogether. Richland should not enforce a no-smoking policy, but should continue its current policy to equally consider both non-smoking and smoking students rights and concerns. It is indisputable that smoking tobacco is unhealthy for the human body. Studies have proven smoking can cause lung Cancer, Emphysema, and heart disease, among many other damaging health risks; however, whether a person smokes or not is entirely up to the decision of the individual. Although smoking may be damaging to a smoker’s health, it is that person’s decision, and no one else’s, to risk the health issues that may come along with smoking. Unfortunately, smoking does not only affect the health of smokers. Second-hand smoke, or smoke inhaled by passersby, is almost as damaging to a person’s health as the smoke inhaled by a smoker. It is important for non-smokers to not be forced to inhale the same toxins that smokers do. If smokers are allowed to decide whether to smoke or not then non-smokers should be allowed to do the same. Restricting smoking to specific areas around Richland campus permits smoking students...

Words: 656 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Smoking Bans

...Smoking Bans The smoking ban at Foothill College has been a school policy for over five years now. It’s implementation was originally virtuous, and by all means had good intentions, but it was also blind sighted. Smokers didn’t end up quitting, and nothing really changed. Over the years it was semi-enforced, but there were no real consequences, hence no point to the rule. Though the ban hasn’t really been enforced yet, I’m going to argue as if it is. Secondhand smoke is the primary argument for banning smoking, so that will be addressed. I will also emphasize on how smoking bans at colleges are morally wrong, ethically wrong, and a waste of resources. Many people hate cigarettes, and I don’t blame them. They are a disgusting habit that have no long term benefits whatsoever. It’s argued that schools banning smoking will not only help the people that don’t like cigarettes, but will help smokers quit. Stanford University recently made a smoking ban on part of their campus. In the article it says, "People still have the choice to smoke, but making it inconvenient to light up often helps those who wish to stop to achieve their desired goal (Richter). People can only smoke in the parking lots surrounding the multiple buildings that are now in the smoke free zone. This policy is morally and ethically wrong because smokers are now put in a corner. They either have to quit smoking, or walk away from their work, study, etc to smoke. It seems as if we don’t really have a...

Words: 913 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Smoking Ban

...different positions on the smoking ban which are presented in the texts. In text one, we meet Robin McKie who is a science editor of the British newspaper, The Observer. The statement itself in text one is definitely clear. It already appears from the title “Benefits of smoke ban will be felt at once”. He claims that the smoking ban will actually benefit the people of England. Robin McKie’s argumentation is very objective, and is based on scientific documentation which supports his claim. All the numbers and fact that are given up throughout the text, makes it obviously very difficult for anybody to argue against the claim of the science editor. However, in text two, it is a completely different opinion that appears. The text is written by A.N Wilson, a British novelist and biographer, who claims that the smoking ban definitely will affect Britain negatively. In contrast to Robin Mckie, A.N Wilson uses examples of many well-known English novelists who had been smoking during their famous works, as a support for his statement. Furthermore he explains how the smoking ban symbolizes an attack on the basic liberty as it denies the right of a human decision whether to smoke or not. The claim of the last text separates from the former texts. The text is written by Simon Jenkins who is a British newspaper columnist. Simon Jenkins explains that if it was a decision that should have been made by local authorities, it would then be a good thing to have a smoking ban. At the same time he makes...

Words: 1149 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

The Smoking Ban

...Ban Smoking in Public Buildings For several decades, smoking remains one of the most common and most unhealthy of human habits. Smoking, specifically in public, had generally been regarded as a personal choice that bystanders had little control over (Hsein-Ho 174). Now for the first time, the act of public smoking is becoming regulated, even restricted in many cities worldwide. Environmental activist Al Gore was quoted; “Secondhand smoke isn’t just unpleasant, it’s a risk to public health” (Smoak 130). The issue is that smoke directly affects everyone in the vicinity of a public place, restaurant or bar. Based on the evidence that a ban on smoking prevents secondhand smoke, it is important that an amendment banning smoking in public buildings is added immediately. The first and most pressing issue with smoking in public buildings is the major health risks involved with secondhand smoke. It is reported that over 50,000 Americans are killed annually by passive smoking (Garrison 44). Of that 50,000; 35,000 died from heart disease, 3,000 died from lung cancer, and the other 12,000 deaths are caused from other cancers. With this major death toll, it ranks second hand smoke as the third leading cause for premature deaths, it trails alcohol related deaths and smoking as the two leading causes (Smoak 129). Granted that not all secondhand smoke is consumed in public buildings, some people are exposed in their homes, over 2,000 people died in one year because of secondhand smoke and...

Words: 1047 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

The Smoking Ban

...The smoking ban Text 1: The author of this text is focusing on the benefits around the smoking ban. We are told about the smoking ban, which took effect on the day he wrote the text. He is claiming that the ban will have a huge meaning to people’s health I general. He takes out examples to confirm his proclamation, in form of countries were a smoking ban has taken effect already. The number of dominating illnesses like heart attacks and cancer fell by several per cent in all of the areas where the smoking ban took function. Robin McKie makes a list over the affected public places, which will be affected by the smoking ban. If you smoke in public, it will be considered illegal, you’ll get a ticket. If an owner of a bar allows customers to smoke in his place, he’ll have to pay for it as well, and it will not just be a few pennies, but £2,500. We are told that around every fourth of the adult British population is a smoker. Almost half of all these smokers are actively trying to stop, and an even bigger part says that they want to stop smoking. He puts a notice on how the smoking ban will affect everyone – not just smokers. The part of the population, which doesn’t smoke them selves are facing increased risks of getting a savvier disease. So the beneficial affect the ban will have on the health will be for everyone in Britain. Mckie ends his text by writing about the places where you are still aloud to smoke. It must be outside, so refers to a joke, said by Will Self about...

Words: 971 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Public Smoking Bans

...` Public Smoking Bans Maria Robbins Ivy Tech Community College ENGL 111-JOF-Research Paper Cooper-3830 November 4, 2013 Abstract The smoking ban has caused smokers to adjust their smoking behavior. Public places have banned the smokers from smoking inside their businesses. The smoking ban has caused smokers to make choices. This has decreased their smoking and some have been able to quit completely. Still there are people who have smoked their whole life and have chosen not to stop smoking. Smokers do not have the freedom to smoke in public places that they once had. The public smoking ban has been the center of debates, because smokers feel it is their right to smoke when and where they want. The non-smokers want to be able to go out and enjoy a smoke-free environment. Public Smoking Bans Public smoking has been a right the smoker has had for years. Only in recent years has the public smoking ban law been put in affect. It took many years of debating over the fact if smoking in public should be ban. Smoking is an individual choice, and it is an activity that is absolutely legal. However, some states have passed laws to prohibit the activity in public and in workplaces. This legislation has been the focus of many debates in statehouses and city-county councils throughout the country. The smoking bans forces a smoker to not be welcome to smoke freely in public. For years the non-smoker had to deal with going out to...

Words: 3946 - Pages: 16

Premium Essay

Ban Smoking

...Task A 1. Ban smoking is something we all are familiar of. Mostly we have seen it in trains, busses etc. where there is a sign/sticker of a cigarette that has a line across it, meaning, “ smoking is not allowed”. The text “Benefits of smoke ban will be felt at once”, by The Observer of British newspaper Robin Mckie, involves different scientific studies of ban smoking and the effects of it. An international journal of science can conclude that there are improvements in the population of England after the ban smoking has taken place. One of the effects of ban smoking is that, it has become illegal to smoke in all enclosed public places, workplaces and owners/ managers of pubs, clubs and cafés fines up to 2500 pound if they allow customers to smoke their premises. The Europeans Commission has found that UK has the highest percentage of Europeans trying to quit smoking and 46 per cent are trying to stop and even more say they want to give it up. A UK epidemiologist Sir Richard Peto thinks that there are good news and bad news of smoking. The bad news is that non- smokers who breathe in second- hand smoke face a increased risk of getting lung cancer or heart disease. He also says that no matter how much ban smoking is taking place, that there will still be smokers and a lot of early deaths in the coming years. The good news of smoking which Sir Richard Peto points out that the situation of smoking is better than it use to be. Text two “Is this the end of English literature...

Words: 902 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Smoking Ban Speech

...going to be my pleasure today to explain to you why a smoking ban in a absolute necessity at our facility. Our main goal as a hospital is to promote wellness, one new way that we can do this by implementing an outdoor smoking ban. Lets make PHS like one of the thousands of other facilities in the nation that protect our patients to the best of our abilities. SLIDE 2: Peoria Hospital Systems is the largest hospital in our town. We are the trauma one facility and provide care to over half of our community. We started in 1911 and since day one we have taken pride in our ability to pioneer new and upcoming advancements. We should continue on this path by starting a trend of smoking bans in our area. SLIDE 3: As you all know, our mission statement reads… say it with me… we are committed. To delivering. Outstanding healthcare. Period. This means… The right care, at the right time, in the right setting, at the right cost, with the best possible outcome. We are successful when what we do makes things better for people, improving the health and well-being of body, mind and spirit. SLIDE 4: We work to make a positive difference. We use our talents, skills, and expertise as healthcare providers and as community leaders to improve the quality of life for people in our community. No excuses, no wavering, no distractions. This is simply what we do. By implementing this outdoor smoking ban, we will be doing exactly that. SLIDE 5: Smoking harms nearly every organ of the body. Some of these...

Words: 995 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Ban Smoking

...a.) The subject is banning smoking in all public places. b.) My purpose is to explain my views on the subject. c.) My audience is Senator Mikulski. d.) I will be aggressive but professional. Senator Mikulski I am writing you this letter to get your views on smoking and the banning of it in public places. As a woman I am sure you know the hazards of smoking. I do not know if you smoke or not but I am positive that you see the harmful effects it has on the body. I wanted to write to give you my views on this subject. You see Senator, I do smoke but I can definitely appreciate the reasoning for the banning of smoking in public places. When you sit down to have a meal it is very offensive to have to breathe in cigarette smoke. You or your family should not have to be subjected to somebody smoking especially if you do not. Like I said I do smoke but I also hate the smell and knowing the hazards of smoking. I have small grandchildren and I would not want them to have to breathe in some bodies smoke. It is very hard to quit but I am doing my best. It would be wonderful for my health as well as the people whom I love for me to stop. I am a student right now. I do not have any health insurance. When I graduate and start my career, I know that not smoking would make it less expensive. Also if I did not mension it I am a middle age woman who needs to be more vigilante about health issues. Let’s face it, I am not getting any younger. So in closing, I just wanted...

Words: 323 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Smoking Ban Debate

...The Smoking Ban Debate Smoking, a hot button issue that has gained momentum is on the verge of exploding. Smoking bans are the current answer to the growing backlash from the general public over second hand smoke, a controversial action which brings the subject of individual rights to the forefront. Tobacco use has been debated for hundreds of years, with the medical field describing tobacco use as a “deadly narcotic” as early as 1853. With momentum gaining a pinnacle, regulations implementing and enforcing smoking bans are widespread, with oppositions position that these bans impose on individual rights. David Hudson wrote “The Department of Justice once stated smoking as the single leading cause of death in the United States”. An author/ research attorney who specializes in First Amendment rights, his book, Smoking Bans, widely discusses the impact that smoking bans have protecting public health, while some believe it infringes on individual rights. Key issues surround the debate that revolve around individual choice, social responsibility, and governmental power, and with the issues bring a wide variety of interests. A 2000 lawsuit Supreme Court ruled the Food and Drug Administration was not allowed to regulate tobacco as a drug. To many, this seemed like a logical solution to a smoking culture glamorized by Hollywood in the 1950’s into the 1070’s. To others, it would have ineffective results as the Liquor Prohibition proved to be in earlier years...

Words: 1165 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Smoking Ban

...Smoking Bans Name School Smoking Ban Smoking refers to the tasting or inhaling smoke from tobacco products after burning them. Smoking is a practice that is common among all races and ethnic groups from all over the world(Brannon & Feist, 2010). Often, the phenomenon is practiced as a ritual in other regions of the world. Recently, it has been established that many young people in their teens and early adulthood smoke in an increasing trend. The most common form of smoking is through cigarettes(Brannon & Feist, 2010). However, there are other forms which include the use of bidis, hookas, pipes and shisha (Brannon & Feist, 2010). Tobacco products contain a stimulating substance called nicotine, which when inhaled or tasted leads to adverse health and other related consequences. It has been found out that smoking is an addictive activity which is hard to contain. Smoking normal cigarettes can be a foundation for more dangerous substances that include smoking weed and inhaling cocaine. Health institutions have come up with the possible effects of smoking both to passive and active smokers. Breathing problems, socioeconomic effects as well as chronic diseases like cancers are some of the dangerous outcomes of smoking. Several alternatives have been established to deal with the problem (Hyde & Setaro, 2006). Designation of smoking zones is one of the options that most nations globally have embraced with the aim of bringing down the negative...

Words: 2476 - Pages: 10