Banning Smoking in Public Places

Jennifer HillJessica TeperMolly Wilson

The Smoking BanThe dangerous effects of smoking

have led to smoking bans in public places. Many discotheques have stopped allowing their patrons to continue the dreadful habit of smoking in their premises. Similarly, many cafes have created smokers only areas. Is the public ban on smoking working? This article looks at the pros and cons of banning smoking in public places.

What Is Second Hand Smoke?

Secondhand smoke is divided into two types, according to the National Cancer Institute. One is the smoke expelled from a burning tobacco product such as a cigarette, cigar or pipe. Cigarette and cigar smoke contain not only tobacco smoke, but also paper residue. The other type of secondhand smoke is smoke exhaled by the smoker. Secondhand smoking occurs when someone inhales one of these two types of secondhand smoke.

People can be exposed to secondhand smoke in homes, cars, the workplace, and public places, such as bars, restaurants, and recreational settings. In the United States, the source of most secondhand smoke is from cigarettes, followed by pipes, cigars, and other tobacco products.

Second Hand Smoke & The Harmful Effects

At least 69 of the toxic chemicals in secondhand tobacco smoke cause cancer.

Effects of Second Hand Smoke:◦ Cough◦ Nausea◦ Headache◦ Eye Irritation◦ Sore Throat◦ Dizziness◦ Difficulty Breathing

States that 100% Ban Public Smoking

Washington Oregon Utah Arizona Montana South Dakota Nebraska Kansas Minnesota Iowa Wisconsin Illinois

Michigan Ohio New York New Jersey Vermont Maine Rhode Island Massachusetts Maryland Delaware Hawaii

States that Do NOT 100% Ban Public Smoking

Idaho Nevada California Wyoming Colorado New Mexico Texas Oklahoma North Dakota Missouri Arkansas Louisiana Mississippi Alabama

Georgia Tennessee Indiana Kentucky South Carolina North Carolina Virginia West Virginia Florida New Hampshire Pennsylvania Alaska

Videos on Banning Smoking

Andrew Hyland Ph.D. and Banning Smoking in Public Places

Stop Smoking Around Me

Smoking Ban ProsNon-smokers can be saved from being exposed to

the hazards of secondhand smoke.Public smoking can influence the minds of children

and teens.Smoking bans can make it difficult for people to find

a suitable place to smoke. This can dishearten them and make them think about quitting smoking for good.

Now, smoking has become legally wrong. This can dissuade youngsters from starting smoking.

Bars, pubs and discotheques are now much healthier places sans cigarette smoke.

Heart patients can breathe freely without worrying about being exposed to toxic secondhand smoke.

Smoking Ban Cons Governments make plenty of profits from cigarette

sales. This amount could reduce because of the ban.Many smokers have taken to evading the ban and

smoking on the sly.Many pubs, cafes and restaurants have lost patrons

because of the smoking ban. In fact, many employees in these establishments have even lost their jobs.

Many youngsters have started smoking just because smoking is banned. They do so because of the attraction of the forbidden object.

Smoking bans have caused many smokers to experience withdrawal symptoms such as irritation and loss of concentration. This can become a cause of workplace and domestic hassles.

Effects Banning Public Smoking Is on Businesses

Pro-smoking lobbies say that public smoking bans can affect businesses such as bars, pubs and some restaurants. They say that many patrons frequent bars and pubs, as they can smoke freely there. But, research surveys indicate that this argument is not true. Many businesses report that smoking bans reassure non-smokers and make them more comfortable. This has a positive impact on the bottom-line.

In restaurants and bars, smokers find rare places where they are allowed to smoke. This makes them linger on and occupy the table for long periods of time. This reduces business for the establishment because if patrons left early, the table could be used by others, which will increase profits. The way out would be for businesses to establish special zones for smokers to enjoy their puff. The non-smokers would thus be protected from secondhand smoke, and they can feel at ease too.

Say No to Public Smoking and Keep Others Healthy