Over the last few years, people tend to notice an increasing number of “no smoking” signs in public places. Many countries the world over have imposed public policies, laws and regulations that ban smoking in public places and workplaces. Indicatively, smoking on public transport has been prohibited in South Australia in 1994 (Drug and Alcohol Services for South Australia) and gradually the rest of the world’s countries have enacted similar laws, while countries like England and Wales are considering a pilot ban of smoking within prisons, for 2014 (BBC News UK). Ireland was the first country to ban smoking in both public areas, including dinning facilities and bars, and all workplaces, in March, 2004 (WHO 110). In the U.S, it all started with a surgeon general’s report, back in 1964, where he stressed the disastrous effects of smoking (Committee on Secondhand Smoke Exposure and Acute Coronary Events; Institute of Medicine 109). Within the first year, the government passed the Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act of 1965 that obliged tobacco companies to label their cigarette packages with health-related warnings (Committee on Secondhand Smoke Exposure and Acute Coronary Events & Institute of Medicine 109). However, it was not until 1973 when Arizona became the first state to prohibit smoking is selected public areas, followed by Civil Aeronautics Board that created smoking and non-smoking sections in their commercial flights (Committee on Secondhand Smoke Exposure and Acute Coronary Events & Institute of Medicine 110).
Those opposed support that prohibiting smoking in public places violate individuals’ right to be free to decide and it does not prevent people from smoking, as believed. Adults tend to smoke to reduce stress, due to economic, personal or familial problems (Jacobs). Smoking gives a speedy nicotine hit after only 10 seconds after nicotine enters the human body that makes people who smoke feel feelings of pleasure (Cancer Research UK). That is why people want to smoke at their workplace to relax in between breaks, or when they go out to have some fun and forget about their problems. After all, since purchasing and selling cigarettes is not banned, why should smoking them be? On the other hand, people claim economies are negatively affected by banning smoking in public areas, where most people spend practically all their day. Studies have shown that prohibiting smoking in restaurants and bars affect their profitability, based on basic economic logic (Tomlin). People that usually smoke to relax and those that have linked smoking to having fun will most likely order less drinks, while out in a bar, and the same probably applies to restaurants, since smoking is also connected with eating and enjoying oneself.
The reason for prohibiting smoking in public places is mainly to protect public health, particularly in relation to passive smoking. It is widely accepted that the health consequences and risks deriving from “involuntary exposure to environmental tobacco smoke emphasizes the need for stronger regulation to protect nonsmokers, particularly children” (WHO 38). Furthermore, smoke-free legislation is proven to be beneficial to current smokers, as it has helped them to reduce the annual tobacco consumption, if not completely stop smoking (WHO 38). Surveys conducted on staff working in public places portray a big success of the imposed smoke-ban measures, which admittedly were not as difficult to enforce as initially thought, especially in places where separate non-smoking areas have been created (WHO 125). The air is cleaner too. Research has shown that air quality has improved significantly, ever since the enact of the smoke-free law, with carbon dioxide levels reducing by 45%, and up to 98% in non-smoking bars and workplaces respectively (WHO 112). People have also reacted very positively towards the new smoke ban laws, by 54%, while health care givers report reduced rates of people with respiratory problems (WHO 125). However, the major concerns in implementing the prohibition of smoking in public places
Whether cigarette smoking should be banned in public places or not remains a controversial issue that will most likely concern years to come. Being allowed to smoke in public gives people the freedom to choose, which is their right. On the other hand, prohibiting smoking in public places gives non-smokers the right to have clean air without having to suffer passive-smoking-related health problems. So, all in all, it is a rights issue that will need further research as to how, and if, opposing views could be bridged. However, recent facts and statistics from research and studies are encouraging. It appears that 93% of the population consider the smoke-ban law is just and good (WHO 112). What is even more encouraging is the fact that 80% of smokers also agree that the law is actually good and almost a full 100% , both smokers and non-smokers, think that workplaces are healthier now,(WHO 112). In regards those that claim economies suffer a shock from the tobacco money that are lots, it might be better to consider public health and common good on top of everything else.
Works Cited:
BBC News UK (2013). “Smoking ban considered for prisons”. Web. Sep. 19, 2013. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24170235>
Cancer Research UK (n.d). “Smoking and cancer: Why do people smoke?”. Web. Sep. 18, 2013. < http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-info/healthyliving/smokingandtobacco/whydopeoplesmoke/smoking-and-cancer-why-do-people-smoke>
Committee on Secondhand Smoke Exposure and Acute Coronary Events & Institute of Medicine (2010). “Secondhand Smoke Exposure and Cardiovascular Effects: Making Sense of the Evidence”. The National Academies Press. <http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=12649&page=110 >
Drug and Alcohol Services for South Australia. “Tobacco and the Law”. Page Last Modified: 24 Sep 2012. Web. Sept.19, 2013. < http://www.dassa.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=120>
Jacobs Marjorie (1995). “From the First to the Last Ash: The History, Economics & Hazards of Tobacco, A comprehensive Adult Basic Education Curriculum”. Unit 3. Web. Sep. 19, 2013. <http://healthliteracy.worlded.org/docs/tobacco/Unit3/1why_people_smoke.html>
Tomlin Jonathan (2009). “The Economic Impact of Smoking Ban”. Forbes Magazine. Web. Sep. 18, 2013. < http://www.forbes.com/2009/06/04/economic-impact-bars-restaurants-opinions-contributors-smoking-ban.html>
World Health Organization (2007). “THE EUROPEAN TOBACCO CONTROL REPORT 2007». Book. ISBN 978-92-890-2193-7 <http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/68117/E89842.pdf>
