Smoking In Public Places

Smoking in Restaurants and Bars

There are many controversial topics on the minds of Americans today. One of the most controversial is smoking in public restaurants and bars. Many people believe it is okay to smoke in these places since they are places for relaxation and enjoyment. I personally believe that smoking should be banned from all public places. Many things can happen when smokers smoke in public places, for example, causing certain diseases in non-smokers, causing air pollution, and causing severe harm to the smokers themselves.

First of all tobacco smoke is killing thousands of people every year. For example, parents who smoke appear to be a risk factor for children and babies and are associated with low birth weight babies. Sudden infant death syndrome, bronchitis, pneumonia, and middle ear infections are also associated with parents that smoke. Furthermore, a review was published of the evidence available from studies regarding the relationship between secondhand smoke and heart disease and estimated that passive smoking was responsible for thousands upon thousands of deaths per year in the United States. Similarly, John, a friend of mine, died a few years ago from lung cancer caused by his smoking parents. John never smoked in his life. In addition, John's younger brother Tom, a smoker, has been diagnosed with lung cancer. Because of following in his parents footsteps, Tom has contracted the disease.

Furthermore, it is believed that moderate exposure to secondhand smoke presents a measurable cancer risk to non-smokers. The risk is considered more significant when non-smokers work in an environment where cigarette smoke is always present. It would be pointless to not allow smoking in one part of a restaurant and allow it in another when eventually the non-smokers' section breathes in the smoke. In addition, the smell from cigarette smoke is awful. Cigarette smoke stays on people's clothes, hair, the house carpet and the cars' upholstery. I once rented a car in which the upholstery smelled so bad I had to return it the very same day. The owner gave me a new car and reduced