Banning Smoking in Public Places and Workplaces is Good

STUDENT NAME
INSTITUTIONAL AFFILIATION(S)
ASSESSMENT ITEM 3 -
STRUCTURED REPORT

SMOKING IN PUBLIC AREAS 1
Public smoking: A red alert to the public as well as yourself
Introduction
Smoking is regarded as drug addiction and remains widespread throughout the globe.
According to the World Health Organization, not less than 4 million death are recorded
worldwide which are directly related to smoking. The habit of smoking can be associated
with numerous diseases along with disorders in human. Historical evidence shows that
commercial manufacturing and marketing of cigarettes causes a public smoking epidemic
that first destroyed industrialised society and subsequently, spread worldwide. Tobacco not
only threatens human health but also the earth's unique resources. Its negative impacts can be
felt beyond the effects of smoke released in air through cigarettes when consumed through
waste released by tobacco manufacturers. This implies researchers and policymakers develop
tobacco control policies such as increased taxes on tobacco products including restriction on
tobacco advertisements, sponsorship, and creating awareness on smoke-free environment,
health education and cessation of smoking in public places. Since smoking has many
detrimental effects on human and environment, this report aims at analysing how smoking
impacts humans and environment as well as recommend few steps that can considerably
create awareness among people and policymakers concerning the cessation of smoking in
public area.
Critical analysis
Health causes of smoking
Clinical evidence establishes that any contact made to tobacco can cause death,
disability and long-term diseases. Tobacco is most commonly used by men and is reported to
be present in many countries particularly in rural regions than in urban areas. A habit which
is acquired in early ages proves more intoxicating in the future. Among all, adolescents are
more prone to smoking which leads them to long term mental and physical issues. Children
who are exposed to smoke released by tobacco shows poor cardiovascular health profile
(Sharma, Ganapathy, & Sengottaiyan, 2019). Arguably, West (2017) claims that many

SMOKING IN PUBLIC AREAS 2
smokers feel that smoking helps them cope with stress and increases their concentration
capabilities. But then, long-term smokers who reported to have stopped smoking showed
lower stress levels as compared to when they used to smoke, without any reduction in
concentration abilities. Despite the reduction seen in the past few years in smoking in public
area, tobacco remains one of the preventable causes of premature and ill-health deaths
globally.
Air pollution
The toxic air which is breathed by people globally consists of air pollution occurring
due to vehicles, industries and to a great extent, smoking. Gao, Sanna, Hefler, & Wen (2019)
documents that air pollution is known as ‘new smoking’ in news articles having titles such as
“The Air Is So Bad in These Cities, You May as Well Be Smoking” (p. 1). The authors posit
that the world has become a cornerstone of tobacco and the reference to air pollution have
raised many severe concerns. Smoke and fire caused due to tobacco can cost health and
environment effects. Around 1% of fire incidents occurring globally resulting in 300,000
deaths every year out of which smoking materials like tobacco and cigarettes are leading
causes ( Leistikow, Martin, & Milano, 2000). The air pollutants and fine particles released
during smoking like cigarette butts further litter the environment and seep into the water and
soil thereby creating water and soil pollution also.
The effects caused to non-smokers by this act
Non-smokers who are in close contact with smoky atmosphere have an amplified risk
of respiratory, heart and cancer-related diseases. According to Chonviharnpan & Lewis
(2015), tobacco consumption has increased a behavioural risk issue which causes premature
and preventable deaths globally. It is estimated that besides the increasing number of deaths
seen in smokers, around 0.6 million non-smokers who are exposed to smoke die each year.
According to Shona (2017), if the same pattern is followed, smoking will kill 8 million
people globally every year by 2020 with a massive increase of 80% of premature deaths in
lower and middle-income countries. Hence the activities of smoking must be banned and
adolescents must be closely monitored to prevent them from using such additive and
hazardous products.