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Smoking in Public Places
Like many smokers, David W. Cowles started smoking in his teens. He wanted to look older, to appear more sophisticated, to fit in. Today, after 50 years of smoking, Cowles has finally stopped. Still, it seems he did not stop early enough. Shortly after, Cowles was diagnosed with lung cancer and emphysema. Surgeons removed the growth in his lungs but to this day, Cowles confesses to having difficulty breathing (Cowles).
Cowles' case is typical of most smokers, and has added dimensions as well. His father was a smoker, another reason why Cowles started smoking early. Additionally, now that the dangers of second-hand smoke have been well-documented, people like Cowles are worrying about the possibility of exposing their loved ones and people around them to possible carcinogens.
The recognition of the detrimental effects of smoking has given rise to calls for smoking bans. Because cigarette smoke also harms non-smokers, cigarette smoking should be banned in public places. This includes places of work, where there is at least one nonsmoker, as well...
Additionally, smoking should be banned in all places where the public congregate ("The Government Should Increase Efforts to Reduce Smoking").
Supporters of the ban argue that most people spend their time in two "microenvironments," namely home and work. People who spend time in these environments with smokers are therefore at a greater risk of cancer and other illnesses. Those who are exposes in places like restaurants, bars and casinos are also at risk. Because of these health risks, supporters argue that smoking should be banned in such places ("The Government Should Increase Efforts to Reduce Smoking"). For anti-smoking activists, the ban is a matter of public safety.
Critics of the ban see cigarette regulations as infringement of their rights. They state that because anti-smoking activists could not regulate behavior in private homes, they try to do so in public places. The choice of whether to patronize a smoking or non-smoking bar should be left up to the patron. Also, if waiters or bartenders do not mind working in a smoking establishment,…
Works Cited
Cowles, David W. "The Price of Smoking." Teen Smoking. Mary E. Williams, Ed. Contemporary Issues Companion Series. Greenhaven Press, 2000. Reprinted from "The Price of Smoking," by David W. Cowles, My Turn column, Newsweek, February 1, 1999, by permission. All rights reserved. Reproduced in Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Farmington Hills, Mich.: Gale Group. 2004 http://0-galenet.galegroup.com.catalog.houstonlibrary.org:80/servlet/OVRC
"The Government Should Increase Efforts to Reduce Smoking."
Reproduced in Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Farmington Hills, Mich.: Gale Group. 2004 http://0-galenet.galegroup.com.catalog.houstonlibrary.org:80/servlet/OVRC
"The Government Should Not Regulate Smoking." Economist. Smoking. Auriana Ojeda, Ed. Current Controversies Series. Greenhaven Press, 2002. From "Blowing Smoke," by the Economist, Economist, December 20, 1997. Copyright © 1997 by the Economist Newspaper, Ltd. Reprinted with permission. Reproduced in Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Farmington Hills, Mich.: Gale Group. 2004 http://0-galenet.galegroup.com.catalog.houstonlibrary.org:80/servlet/OVRC
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And many people believe that in the long run, people will get used to dining without smoking, just as they did with flying on airlines without being allowed to light up (Frumkin pp). But not all New York restaurateurs are happy with the law, such as the owner of the Cellar Bar in Larchmont, New York and manager of the Willett House in Port Chester, New York, who claims of