According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services “Secondhand smoke causes numerous health problems in infants and children, including severe asthma attacks, respiratory infections, ear infections, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Some of the health conditions caused by secondhand smoke in adults include heart disease and lung cancer”. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke: A Report of the Surgeon General). This should make us aware about the risks that smoking in public places has towards the nonsmokers. Smokers should understand the smoking hazards are not only for them, but for the nonsmokers as well. Being able to smoke should be banned in public areas because secondhand smoke hurts babies and children; it contributes to the development of heart disease, and lung cancer in nonsmokers.
History of the Issue
In the beginning tobacco was used by American Indians in many different ways, such as in religious and medicinal practices. It was believed that tobacco had healing properties and it was used to treat lesions, and as pain killer. During colonialism that belief made tobacco popular
Cited: 1. Zechariah Chafee 's publication Directly quoted: "One person’s freedom ends where another person’s freedom begins." 2. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke: A Report of the Surgeon General 3. 1604: the King James I of England in his “Counterblaste to Tobacco” Goldsmid 1884:32). 4. Rich White “Previous Smoking Bans” 5. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke: A Report of the Surgeon General: Secondhand Smoke: What It Means To You.