You may have read a previous blog post here on sharenotes.com that I posted about a proposed smoking ban in the military. I was slightly torn on the subject simply because I feel the military’s stress levels are super high right now. I am very anti-smoking but maybe a vice, even a terrible one like smoking, was keeping them going. However what I am not conflicted about is a ban on smoking in public places. I am of the personal feeling that if a person wants to smoke that is their prerogative, however I should not be forced to be exposed to it.
According to a recent study the ban on smoking that has occurred over three years may have had a dramatic effect on our health. According to the study, the smoke free environment has led to a 1/3 less heart attacks since the ban in parts of the US, Europe and Canada was first put into place. This strongly supports the stance that 2nd hand smoke can be harmful to those of us who do not smoke. It also strongly supports an expansion of the ban to places that are still havens for smokers.
According to the CDC an estimated 46,000 people die each year from 2nd hand smoke related heart disease. 46,000…that’s over 13 times the deaths from 9/11, every year, and just as needless. While we can’t make up for the senselessness of 9/11, we can do something about the future needless deaths related to smoking. With a world wide ban of smoking could all but erase a great deal of those deaths.
If it sounds like I am on a soapbox today, I’ll admit, I am. But I’m not completely heartless, I do feel for smokers. I know it’s horribly addictive, I’ve seen it first hand, and know how difficult it is to cut the habit. I had to watch my father go through it and it wasn’t until he was threatened with lung cancer before he was able to walk away. Most college kids smoke at some point or another recreationally, house parties, finals etc… But for many of us, that occasional indulgence turns into a habit.
My only advice for my fellow students is walk away sooner than later because it only gets harder. As I said at the beginning of the blog post if someone wants to smoke, they can, but just hopefully not around me. I fully support a public ban on smoking everywhere… even Vegas! Gasp! Time for sharenotes.comto weigh in, this topic always gets you talking. Support a ban? Wanna smoke anywhere, anytime? Here’s your chance to voice your opinion. Leave you comments below.
