Should smoking be banned in public places?
Ban smoking in public places!
The question and the statement that is most on peoples lips in many countries around the world. In the UK in 2007 the smoking ban in public places came into effect, prohibiting all smoking in public places and enclosed spaces.
Ban smoking in public places!
The question and the statement that is most on peoples lips in many countries around the world. In the UK in 2007 the smoking ban in public places came into effect, prohibiting all smoking in public places and enclosed spaces.
The US has seen many states introduce a smoking ban in public places over the last several years (For a complete list see this Wikipedia entry: List of smoking bans in the United States.) California has been a driving force behind the smoking ban movement, with many smoke-free registries being set up by residents in apartments and residential buildings.
Why Ban Smoking in Public Places
Most non-smokers are quick to complain about the more 'visible' side effects, the stale cigarette smell on clothes, the smoke in the eyes and a personal hate of many, having to walk on a public street behind someone who starts smoking, and having to breathe in clouds of their smoke.
Governments are taking a more health based point of view, concentrating on the side effects of smoking, and the health risks involved in passive smoking.
Lung Cancer Several studies have proved an increased risk of Lung Cancer, around 25% for both smokers and passive smokers.
Coronary heart Disease Smoking greatly increases the risk of heart disease on its own, but combined with its effect of increasing blood pressure, increases the risk of blood clots, and decreases tolerance to exercise, the risk is massively increased.
Lung Cancer Several studies have proved an increased risk of Lung Cancer, around 25% for both smokers and passive smokers.
Coronary heart Disease Smoking greatly increases the risk of heart disease on its own, but combined with its effect of increasing blood pressure, increases the risk of blood clots, and decreases tolerance to exercise, the risk is massively increased.
The view is being taken that the health of passive smokers needs to be protected, introducing smoking bans is the only effective way to tackle this issue. The smoking bans should also encourage many existing smokers to quit smoking.
What about Passive or Secondhand smoke
The link between disease and passive or secondhand smoke has been well documented, and the connection to cardiovascular-related disability and death is also apparent. In the US around 37 to 40 thousand people die from blood vessel and heart disease caused by other people’s smoke each year. Of these, around 35,000 non smokers die from coronary heart disease, which includes heart attack.
