Smoking Kills

Smoking kills millions every year, even those who have never smoked in their life. Secondhand smoke is a major cause of death to adults and children but it can be stopped. Because of this, smoking should be banned from all public places. You may think that our country has done enough to stop public smoking. In New York, “…a divided City Council passed a bill banning smoking in outdoor, public areas…”(Adams 13). Opponents believe that banning it from parks and beaches is enough but more can be done. Even though smoking is banned from the parks, people can still come in contact with secondhand smoke in other areas. “People start smoking for different reasons, but most keep doing it because of one reason-they are addicted to nicotine”(8). Critics say that people are too addicted to smoking that they cannot stop but they are wrong. Quitting smoking is not impossible and more than three million people quit each year in the U.S. Smoking is dangerous to everyone involved. “Lung cancer killed more Americans than any other type of malignancy, causing some 160,000 deaths a year during the decade…”(379). Proponents say that smoking has killed millions. They also say that some of these people are affected from second hand smoke. “Approximately 26% of adults in the United States currently smoke cigarettes, and 50 to 67% of children under five years of age live in homes with at least one adult smoker”(1). Advocates contend that smoking comes into contact with the dangerous chemicals of smoking. Also, they say that thousands die from secondhand smoke. These are just a few reasons why smoking should be banned from all public areas. Cigarettes have many dangerous chemicals. “Over 4,000 different chemicals have been identified in ETS, and at least 43 of these chemicals cause cancer”(1). Proponents say that these chemicals are affecting everyone involved with the smoke. Also, they say that many of these chemicals cause cancer. “In children under two years of age, ETS exposure increases the likelihood of bronchitis and pneumonia”(1). Advocates say that exposure can lead to other diseases. They also say that it affects young children too. These examples show why smoking should be banned from public places. Smoking should be outlawed from places where it can affect others. Despite the efforts of some states, there has not been enough done to stop the dangerous effects of secondhand smoke. Smoking kills too many people for it to be legal in public places.