The Cover Letter
Q1
This essay gives an outline of the different positions on the smoking ban which are presented in the texts. The outlines different articles and opinions of various parties involved. To achieve this, the essay provides statistical data to support the stand of the researcher.
Q2
The challenge the writer encountered during the research is in the writing phase as I had to illustrate whether the society has the responsibility to prevent people from smoking in public or if it is up to the individual to decide. I had to research on this subject.
Q3
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What I enjoy about this assignment is that the subject is a matter of public interest in the society. By discussing my answer based on data and evidence from reliable sources, my opinion can be considered and bring an end to the debate on the subject.
Q4
The reason I decided to write on this topic is also because it is a matter of public interest in the society. Although am not discussing the topic in another course, however, the topic affects me personally because I am also at risk due to second hand smoking effects.
Q5
I decided to write about this topic in order to address the ever increasing issue of people smoking in public, without regard of others people’s health.
Q 6 The thing I would like readers to know is that smoking though a lifestyle conditions it’s harmful to the smokers life and people around them. I would like people to know that despite people having the right or free will to do what they want they should not be allowed to endanger others peoples lives through second hand smoke.
SMOKING IN PUBLIC PLACES SHOULD BE BANNED IN AMERICA
Introduction
Smoking in public places is regarded as one of the major grave issue which has been discussed by majority of people in the society for the longest time now. Due to this, many people have been in support of banning public smoking while other critics have been in support of it. The smokers feel it’s their right to smoke where and when they want. On the other hand, non-smokers feel smokers are violating their rights and endangering their life. Smoking causes heart disease, lung cancer and other serious illnesses. In my own perspective, I categorically support the ban on public smoking, and I believe despite people having the right or free will to do what they want they should not be allowed to endanger others peoples lives (United States Environmental Protection Agency ,2010). Therefore, this essay establishes the reasons why am in support of ban of smoking in public places.
Smoking in Public Places should be banned in America
Smoking in public places is a practice which should be banned at all costs for the reason that its effects not only affect the user but other members of the public who are not non smokers (Forey, 2003). It’s apparent that a smoker’s poor or unwarranted choices should not in any way affect the health of other people. Research studies reveals that second-hand smoke contains thousands of toxic chemicals which are characterized with causation of smoking related infections and diseases such as cancer , respiratory conditions such as bronchitis, emphysema and asthma, coronary heart diseases and even death (Garrison, 2008). Air pollution resulting from cigarette smoke causes various forms of respiratory sicknesses such as coughing, chest tightness, wheezing, muscular aches, headaches, chills, fever and fatigue.
Public smoking should also be banned because it causes huge drain to the National Health Services in treating and managing smoking related infections. Smoking in public places also pollutes the environment making it inappropriate for personal needs. It also affects the environment through littering, and the materials from smoke butts take long to decompose because they are made from synthetic products. Irrespective of polluting the atmosphere, smoking in public also cause public nuisance to non smokers who find the smell from the cigarettes offensive .Besides being addictive, smoking can also damage the social relationship of a person (Hsein-Ho, 2007).
Regardless of many negative effects attributed with public smoking, smoking is a pre-requisite right to smokers and it’s allowed provided it does not affect other third parties. As much as some may argue that public smoking tends to have many negative effects, it is important to allow all human beings the right to enjoy doing whatever they please like with their bodies, and every person should be free to engage in activities that are beneficial to him going by his/her own reasoning (Smoak, 2008).
Conclusion
While some people may feel that smoking in public places is okay since it is a right for the smoker, smoking in public places should be banned because second-hand smoking endangers non-smokers health and pollutes the environment.
The Annotated Bibliography
Smoak, R. D. (2008). “Smoking Should Be Banned in All Public Buildings.” San Diego:
Greenhaven Press. Inc.
Following the effecting of the smoking ban in Britain on 1st July 2007, the science editor on the observer had positive view on the smoking ban. The author attributes that smoking in public places should be banned at all costs because its effect does not only affect the smokers but non smokers as well. It’s apparent that a smoker’s poor or unwarranted choices should not in any way affect the health of other people
Garrison, J. R. (2008) “Secondhand Smoke is Harmful.” Tobacco and Smoking: Opposing
Viewpoints. San Diego: Greenhaven Press. Inc.
The author combined literature and smoking and states that the greatest writers of all time were smokers. He believes that their writing inspirations came as they lit a cigarette. He was fearful that the ban would mean an end to literature in England. He also noted that pubs would start to be empty as people would rather be antisocial and stay at home smoking.
Forey, B. (2003). International Smoking Statistics. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Though Forey categorically states that he is not a smoker, he is negative about the smoking ban. He sees it as an infringement on people’s privacy. He compares smoking with other habits such as drunkenness. He notes that it is ironical that the government has liberalized laws on alcohol while enacting ban on smoking, he mentions that alcohol is worse than smoking. He thinks that smoking should be a local licensing issue where one is licensed to smoke at public places or not.
Hsein-Ho, M (2007). Tobacco Smoke, Indoor Air Pollution and Tuberculosis: A Systematic
Review and Meta-Analysis. PLoS Medicine 4.1: 173-189. Academic Search Premier.
The textbook identifies various forms of respiratory sicknesses that can be caused by indoor air pollution. The sicknesses include coughing, chest tightness, wheezing, muscular aches, headaches, chills, fever and fatigue.
United States Environmental Protection Agency (2010). “Secondhand Smoke Endangers
Human Health.” Smoking. Ed. Mary E. Williams. San Diego: Greenhaven Press.
Inc., 2010. 32-39.
Cigarette smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer. A considerable number of lung cancer cases in non-smokers can be attributed to involuntary smoking. In the United States, there are some parts where one can smoke in public places, while others e.g. New York there are designated smoking areas.
Forey, B. (2003). International Smoking Statistics. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Garrison, J. R. (2008) “Secondhand Smoke is Harmful.” Tobacco and Smoking: Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego: Greenhaven Press. Inc.
Hsein-Ho, L., & Majid E., & Megan M. (2007). Tobacco Smoke, Indoor Air Pollution and Tuberculosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PLoS Medicine 4.1 (2007): 173-189. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 7 April 2010.
Smoak, R. D. (2008). “Smoking Should Be Banned in All Public Buildings.” San Diego: Greenhaven Press. Inc.
United States Environmental Protection Agency (2010). “Secondhand Smoke Endangers Human Health.” Smoking. Ed. Mary E. Williams. San Diego: Greenhaven Press. Inc., 2010. 32-39.
