Smoking

2 Pages 505 Words

Ban Public Smoking? No way!


Although public smoking is frowned upon by many, there are many reasons that support public smoking. Smokers aid in contributing to the economy, thus supporting many companies and jobs. People who smoke also possess the right to smoke in public. More and more bans on public smoking are being passed, taking away the First Amendment rights of many Americans. Much like how the Nazi health officials controlled public smoking in the past: closing tobacco shops, forcing several types of citizens to stop smoking, and abolishing smoking in buses, trains, government buildings, and public places (Proctor). Sound familiar?
Public smoking is a controversial issue for many companies and schools. Many argue that allowing public smoking increases underage smoking. The law has failed to uphold its “end of the bargain” by allowing underage kids to purchase tobacco in many stores. When enforcement is loose – as it is now - teenagers can easily obtain cigarettes, thus learning disrespect for law. If enforcement were inflexible, teenagers would have more difficulty in obtaining cigarettes. Many kids receive cigarettes from older people. However, enforcing consequences to those breaking the law can reduce underage smoking. People who smoke then would be more likely to not purchase or give cigarettes to underage children, thus keeping kids from being able to obtain cigarettes.
Smokers have always been essential to the economy. Cigarette smokers support the economy with over $6 billion a year (Brady). If smoking were not allowed in public places, many people would stop smoking. Such a decrease in tobacco purchases would severely diminish tobacco profits, which would force the tobacco companies to downsize, leaving many people out of work. Having non-smoking laws in places such as businesses would also be extremely expensive for business owners (Serevane).
When debating public smoki...