Essay, Research Paper
Passive smoking is the inhaling of second hand smoke. It is damaging the lungs of thousands of innocent Australians every year. All because some people are addicted and protest that it there right to smoke and endanger fellow workmates in public places. Banns are currently in discussion to finally protect workplace employees from passive smoking. Just think of the stench that embeds your clothing when you exit a nightclub or restaurant. With smoking banns in place, venues like these and many others will become much cleaner and more inviting places.However, the new attraction that would arise from smoking banns is not our primary concern. Reports from the NHMRC have shown that passive smoking contributes to the symptoms of asthma in 46, 500 Australian children each year, as well as thousands of adults. But still people continue to smoke and further more protest that they should have the individual right to do so where ever they please.No one should have to inhale second-hand smoke. Many smokers do not realise that by smoking in enclosed places they are endangering the lives of their children, workmates and even innocent bystanders who just happen to be near them.
Their smoke is killing some of the people they love and care for the most. And for many, all they can say is that it is their right.There must come a time when government bodies will legislate and finally not condone smoking in Public Places. Not only would the rate of lung cancer, heart attack and coronary heart disease decrease, but also Public places would become more respectable due to a decrease in litter and a clear air environment.The report from the NHMRC simply added to the evergrowing pile of evidence against smoking. It is fact that passive smoking increases the risk of babies suffering cot death, asthma and respiratory disease. As well, people living with a smoker have a 30% higher chance of developing lung cancer. A late report also detailed that smoking can effect sperm and expecting fathers who smoked increased their child’s chances of contracting cancer by 60 %.Some claim that a ban on smoking in public places would depress business in the hospitality industry. However, this is clearly untrue as found in a survey that said 83% of those dining out prefer a smoke- free environment. Society must prioreterise and realise that public health and safety is far more important that profit anyway. The point had been made effectively by Graham Kierath who stated that, ‘If (an industry’s) economic survival is based on killing workers then basically I think that the industry shouldn’t be there.’Some businesses have already woken up to the harm that smoking is causing. Movie theatres are no longer awash with sleazy smoke that may once have turned some customers away. Their business has improved, not decreased, because not only do they attract their regular customers, but a whole host of non-smokers who now feel comfortable seeing a movie. The airlines have also banned smoking and found no decrease in profit margins.There are many Public Places where smoking banns would not pose an economic crisis. In many cases, restaurants, pubs and casinos’ they may well attract a wider customer database. The problem needs to be tackled; some businesses have started the ball rolling and proven that business may even prosper as a result of smoking banns.There can be no question on whether or not smoking should be banned in public places. Sure it is a person’s right to smoke, but to injure some one else’s health is simply unacceptable in modern day society. No one person can justify killing someone else simply to satisfy his or her habit.