SMOKING SHOULD BE BANNED IN PUBLIC

Sofia Aqeel Gill (Senior Lecturer)

Introduction:

Smoking has been a major health concern worldwide. It has been linked to a number of diseases such as lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke. Despite the numerous campaigns and interventions aimed at reducing smoking, it still remains a major public health concern. Smoking in public spaces is one of the factors that contribute to the widespread prevalence of smoking. In this article, we discuss why smoking should be banned in public and present some of the arguments and evidence in support of this position.

Keywords: smoking, public, ban, second-hand smoke, health, environment, economic benefits, smoking cessation.

Abstract:

Smoking is a major public health concern that has been linked to numerous diseases such as lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke. Second-hand smoke is also a significant health risk that can lead to cancer and other illnesses. Smoking in public places is a factor that contributes to the widespread prevalence of smoking. This article presents arguments and evidence in support of banning smoking in public places. First, banning smoking in public places can reduce exposure to second-hand smoke and protect non-smokers from its harmful effects. Second, smoking is a major cause of several health problems and banning smoking in public places can help reduce the number of people who develop smoking-related diseases. Third, cigarette butts are the most littered item in the world, and banning smoking in public places can help reduce the amount of cigarette butt litter that harms the environment and wildlife. Fourth, smoking-related diseases cost billions of dollars each year in healthcare costs and lost productivity, and banning smoking in public places can help reduce these costs. Finally, banning smoking in public places can encourage smokers to quit smoking, leading to significant health benefits and cost savings. Overall, banning smoking in public places is a crucial step towards promoting public health and protecting the environment.

Arguments for banning smoking in public:

Second-hand smoke: Second-hand smoke, also known as passive smoking, is the smoke that is exhaled by smokers or that comes from the burning end of a cigarette or cigar. There are more than 7,000 substances there, many of which are dangerous and can cause cancer. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Banning smoking in public places can reduce exposure to second-hand smoke and protect non-smokers from its harmful effects.

Health consequences: Smoking is a major cause of several health problems, including lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke. The WHO estimates that tobacco use kills more than 8 million people worldwide each year, with more than 7 million of these deaths attributed to direct tobacco use and around 1.2 million to second-hand smoke. Banning smoking in public places can help reduce the number of people who develop smoking-related diseases.

Environmental impact: The most common piece of litter worldwide is cigarette butts. According to the Ocean Conservancy, cigarette butts make up 38% of all litter found on beaches and waterways. Banning smoking in public places can help reduce the amount of cigarette butt litter, which can harm the environment and wildlife.

Economic benefits: Smoking-related diseases cost billions of dollars each year in healthcare costs and lost productivity. Banning smoking in public places can help reduce these costs by reducing the number of people who develop smoking-related diseases.

Encourages smoking cessation: Banning smoking in public places can also encourage smokers to quit smoking. According to a study published in the American Journal of Public Health, smoke-free policies can lead to a 4% reduction in smoking prevalence among adults. This reduction in smoking prevalence can lead to significant health benefits and cost savings.

Smoking is a significant public health issue that has been linked to various diseases, including lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke. In addition to harming smokers, second-hand smoke can also pose serious health risks to non-smokers. Smoking in public places is a factor that contributes to the widespread prevalence of smoking. As such, banning smoking in public places can have numerous benefits for public health, the environment, and the economy.

First and foremost, banning smoking in public places can reduce exposure to second-hand smoke and protect non-smokers from its harmful effects. According to the World Health Organization, second-hand smoke causes approximately 600,000 premature deaths each year. Children, pregnant women, and people with pre-existing health conditions are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of second-hand smoke. By banning smoking in public places, non-smokers can avoid exposure to second-hand smoke and reduce their risk of developing smoking-related diseases.

Second, smoking is a significant cause of several health problems, including cancer, heart disease, and respiratory illness. Banning smoking in public places can help reduce the number of people who develop smoking-related diseases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, smoking causes one in five deaths in the United States each year. Banning smoking in public places can help reduce this number and improve public health overall.

Third, cigarette butts are the most littered item in the world, and banning smoking in public places can help reduce the amount of cigarette butt litter that harms the environment and wildlife. According to the Ocean Conservancy, cigarette butts account for approximately one-third of all litter on beaches and in waterways. These discarded cigarette butts can release toxic chemicals into the environment, harm wildlife that ingests them, and take years to break down. By banning smoking in public places, we can reduce the amount of cigarette butt litter and protect the environment.

Fourth, smoking-related diseases cost billions of dollars each year in healthcare costs and lost productivity. By reducing the prevalence of smoking through a ban on smoking in public places, we can save billions of dollars each year. According to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, smoking-related illnesses cost the United States over $300 billion each year in healthcare costs and lost productivity. Banning smoking in public places can help reduce these costs and improve economic productivity.

Finally, banning smoking in public places can encourage smokers to quit smoking, leading to significant health benefits and cost savings. Studies have shown that smoking bans can lead to an increase in smoking cessation rates. By making it more difficult for smokers to smoke in public places, we can encourage them to quit smoking and improve their health.

In conclusion, banning smoking in public places is a crucial step towards promoting public health and protecting the environment. By reducing exposure to second-hand smoke, preventing smoking-related diseases, reducing cigarette butt litter, and saving healthcare costs and lost productivity, a ban on smoking in public places can have numerous benefits for society as a whole.

References:

1. World Health Organization. (2018). Tobacco. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/tobacco
2. American Cancer Society. (2021). Health risks of secondhand smoke. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/tobacco-and-cancer/secondhand-smoke.html
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Health effects of cigarette smoking. https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/health_effects/effects_cig_smoking/index.htm
4. Ocean Conservancy. (2019). International Coastal Cleanup Report. https://oceanconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/International-Coastal-Cleanup-Report-2018.pdf
5. Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. (2021). Toll of tobacco. https://www.tobaccofreekids.org/problem/toll-of-tobacco
6. American Journal of Public Health. (2016). Smoke-free policies and the social acceptability of smoking in Uruguay and Mexico: Findings from the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project.
7. https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/full/10.2105/AJPH.2016.303177