Banning Smoking in Public Places: A Necessary Evil?

Alongside the constant effort to encourage morewell. Smoking increases illnesses and illnesses lead to
smokers to quit smoking is the ever-present questionabsenteeism. Employers would serve themselves in
as to whether smoking should be banned in publicpromoting a smoke-free office. The fact that the
places. A lot of arguments have stemmed from thischance to smoke is greatly lessened is one way to
topic and many a friendship has ended because of thiskeep employees healthier. On a similar note, the
debate. Here are some of the strongest argumentsemployer is also duty-bound to protect other
for banning smoking in public places.non-smoking employees from those hazards of being
The most common complaint and the most obviousexposed to tobacco smoke. A ban on smoking in the
reason would be the effort of tobacco smoke on theoffice is definitely one way to solve all these attendant
surrounding environment. Now, this includes a wideproblems.
range of things. There is the natural environment toFinally, banning smoking in public places helps the
look out for, and the health of the people in theperson desperately trying to quit smoking actually quit.
immediate surroundings. Studies have shown thatTriggers left by second hand smoke, which include the
passive smokers suffer a great deal more than issmell of the tobacco smoke in general, the smell left on
imagined and this is a big reason why a push forclothes and other people's persons, and the general
banning smoking in public places is so important. Adultsview of smokers, push the temptation to light up even
constantly exposed to cigarette smoke have beenfurther to the forefront. Opinions given often show that
found to be more susceptible to developing the samepeople trying to quit smoking feel that they would be
smoking-related illnesses as the smokers themselves.greatly encouraged by an environment more
Cancers, lung disease, and asthma are the mostconducive to their new, cigarette-free lifestyle. Thus,
common diseases. Even worse, cigarette smoke inbanning smoking in public places also helps increase
public places also harms children. Asthma and middlethe number of quitters.
ear infection are the most noted illnesses of childrenGenerally, the feeling is that public places are places
exposed to second-hand smoke. Finally, thefor everyone; hence, there should be some
environment is also a victim of passive smoke as thisresponsibility to ensure each person's freedom. One
adds to pollution- a problem that is already anaspect of this freedom is the right to inhale fresh air
increasing point of alarm worldwide. With all theseand not to be exposed to harmful health hazards.
facts in mind, banning smoking in public places seemsPassive smoking, no matter how far away still
like the most logical preventive measure.appears harmful to most. And this is the most basic
Other reasons often heard have to do with work asreason why smoking should be banned in public places.