Essay About Second-Hand Smoke And Secondhand Smoke

Smoking
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Smoking
Smoking in public places should be banned. Although some people believe that it is their
right as individuals to smoke where they please, they really are not only hurting themselves.
Three reasons that smoking should be banned in public places are cleanliness in public places
where food and pharmaceuticals are produced is imperative, second-hand smoke is hazardous to
those people around the smoker, and there is a reduced risk of fire.
First, cleanliness is a social issue as well as a moral issue. An online article states, “The
lifestyle argument regarding the right to smoke as ones pleases could be countered by anothers
lifestyle right to breathe smokeless air.” (Wikipedia). However, an ashtray filled with cigarette
butts is a dirty sight and can result in a bigger mess if it is not handled with care. A restaurant is
a prime example of a place where smokers thrive, and while a separate section is reserved for
those who indulge, the mess that cigarette ashtrays may create is commonly demonstrated in
many different areas of the venue, and may even contaminate food.
Second, the hazardous toxin that is secondhand smoke is a major factor of why smoking
in public places should be banned. Many people in society are allergic to any kind of smoke, be
it smoke emitted from a motor vehicle or the smoke that is created when a piece of paper is
burned. Secondhand smoke is known to contain more than 50 carcinogens. Exposure to these
deadly toxins are responsible for thousands of lung cancer deaths as well as tens of thousands of
heart disease deaths each year among non-smokers. More so, secondhand smoke also results in
cases of lower respiratory infections, asthma, sudden infant death syndrome and chronic ear
infections in children. In an article by Adrian ODowd, he quotes John Britton, a professor of
epidemiology as saying, “Smoke-free legislation will save lives, reduce health inequalities, save
money, and improve public health.” (“News Roundup”). Even short-term exposure to
secondhand smoke, for example at a restaurant or bar, can increase the risk of the person to
experience a minor heart- affecting event.
Third, the risk of fire that smoking creates is unimaginable. Many people smoke in their
homes and in their cars, not realizing how dangerous