Smoking Ban - Smoking In Public Places :: Argumentative Essays Research Papers

Smoking Ban Argument Have you ever been in your favorite restaurant and just as you are about to take a bite of your favorite dish, your lungs are filled with a cloud of smoke which has drifted to your table from the smoking section just a few feet away? This is a common complaint of many patrons who enjoy dining at restaurants. While it is true that the smoke from cigarettes causes many health problems, is it fair to take away the freedom of Americans who wish to smoke? Even as compromises can be made on this subject, the majority of people stand by their strong opinions on whether smoking should be allowed in restaurants. Smoking is a simple process of inhaling and exhaling the fumes of burning tobacco, but it has deadly consequences. According to the American Cancer Society, smoking is the most preventable cause of death in America today (Encarta, 2002). Until the 1940?s, smoking was considered harmless. It was at this time that epidemiologists noticed a dramatic increase in the cases of lung cancer. A study was then conducted between smokers and nonsmokers to determine if cigarettes were the cause of this increase. This study, conducted by the American Cancer Society, found increased mortality among smokers. Yet it was not until 1964 that the Surgeon General put out a report acknowledging the danger of cigarettes. The first action to curb smoking was the mandate of a warning on cigarette packages by the Federal Trade Commission (Encarta, 2002). In 1971, all cigarette advertising was banned from radio and television, and cities and states passed laws requiring nonsmoking sections in public pla ces and workplaces (Encarta, 2002). Now in some cities smoking is being completely banned from public places and workplaces and various people are striving for more of these laws against smoking. Most people are aware of the risks associated with smoking and many people who do not smoke are concerned about the risks of secondhand smoke. Even employees in restaurants have a 50 percent higher risk of lung cancer than the general public (Buckley, 2002, p. 63). Also, Harvard researchers found that women who were regularly exposed to other people?s smoke at home or at work were 91 percent more likely to have a heart attack than those who weren?t exposed (Will You Pay, 1998, p.