English
New Jersey should continue to prohibit smoking in public places such as restaurants, clubs, bar and other public places. In fact, studies show that exposure to second-hand smoke can result to psychological distress that may lead to mental illness in healthy adults in the future. It has been proven that second-hand smoke has been associated to several somatic health results. In the study that was conducted in the country London, specifically in Glasgow and Edinburgh, the researchers discovered that there is connection between mental health and second-hand smoke exposure by measuring the using salivary cotinine level of a person (Nursing Standard 17).
Based on the study of a representative sample of 5,560 non-smoking adults who are the between the ages of 44 to 49, there are at least 2,595 smokers with no history of mental illness that existed from the year 1998 and 2003. The second-hand smoke exposure among non-smokers with cotinine level of 0.70 and more the 15/l was associated with higher odds of psychological distress compared to those persons who have lower cotinine levels below the limit of detection.
Thus, it shall be the duty of the local governmental bodies to support the common public sentiment which suggests the creation of comprehensive smoke-free laws. These smoke-free policies are enacted in order to engage the communities to increase public education and debate. As part of the public awareness on the health risks on secondhand smoke increases on the possibility of the detrimental exposure to danger among nonsmokers, the public support for policy measures to protect them from the perceived risks have changed the public attitudes and norms on the social acceptability of smoking.
Another glaring evidence to support the ban of second-hand smoke is the fact that the secondhand smoke can be compared to be qualitatively the same or akin to mainstream smoke that is being inhaled by the smoker. Hence, studies revealed that secondhand smoke is expected to carry a toxic and carcinogenic possibility that is the expected to be the same effect as that of the mainstream smoke (CDC, 2006). As a result, a non-smoker who inhales second-hand smoke will have the tendency to obtain lung cancer if smoking will continue to be allowed in public places such as restaurants, clubs, bar and other public places in the state of New Jersey.
Therefore, it can be concluded that second hand smoke will have detrimental effects to the health of the general public since it is harmful to the cardiovascular system that may lead to lung cancer, coronary heart disease, and other respiratory problems. The state of New Jersey should enact smoke-free laws in its bars, restaurants, clubs and other public places since the report of experts show that secondhand smoke can increase the possibility of premature death and disease among the youth and adults who are non-smokers. For the children who have parents who are smokers, or being in public places such as restaurants that do not have smoke-free policies in their premises, it may cause severe asthma or other acute respiratory infections, ear problems, and other respiratory problems to the children. Aside from these harmful effects, the children with parents who are smokers can also slow down child’s lung development. Since the lower lung function and disease severity has been closely associated to cigarette smoke exposure, the state should promote the smoke-free laws to be implemented in public places in New Jersey.
Hence, with the hazards attached to smoking, it is best that the state of New Jersey should take a stand to implement its smoke-free policies in all public places and not limit if only to the bars, clubs, and restaurants. Due to health reasons, police power should take precedence since it can affect the welfare of the majority. Aside from the health reasons, the ethical issues should also be considered. Based on the utilitarian approach, the state must consider the benefit of the greater majority. With all the perceived harmful effects and dangers that second-hand smoke may cause to the public, it is best that the state of New Jersey should continue to prohibit smoking in public places such as restaurants, clubs, bar and other public places.
Works Cited:
Borchers, Michael T., Adelheid Kratzer, and Laimute Taraseviciene-Stewart. “Second Hand
Smoke And COPD: Lessons From Animal Studies.” Frontiers In Physiology 5.(2014): 1-
2. Academic Search Complete. Web. 10 Dec. 2014.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2006). The Health Consequences of Involuntary
Exposure to Tobacco Smoke. A Report of the Surgeon General. Office on Smoking
and Health (US): Atlanta.
“Clinical Digest. Second-Hand Cigarette Smoke Exposure has an Effect on Mental
Health.” Nursing Standard 24.50 (2010): 17.CINAHL Complete. Web. 10 Dec. 2014.
“Smoke-Free Laws.” State Legislatures 33.7 (2007): 7. Academic Search Complete. Web. 10
Dec. 2014.
