Smoking is considered a right; however, when people smoke in public places, the secondhand smoke can cause detrimental health effects. Many states have adopted smoking bans in the workplace, public places and outdoors. There are many positive outcomes of a smoking ban, and as the United States is becoming more aware of health issues the laws are getting tougher.
Current Statistics
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that an estimated 443,000 deaths occur each year from the adverse health effects from cigarette smoking. They also reported that smoking causes 90 percent of cancer deaths in men and 80 percent in women, and 90 percent of all deaths associated with chronic obstructive lung disease are caused from smoking. Smokers are two to four times more likely to develop coronary heart disease and/or stroke compared to nonsmokers.
Effects of SecondHand Smoke
Secondhand smoke, also referred to as environmental tobacco smoke, is a mixture of the smoker's exhaled smoke from the mouth, and the smoke released from the smoldering cigarette. The same chemicals that the smoker inhales also affect those around him who inhale the secondhand smoke -- chemicals such as cyanide, carbon monoxide, nicotine, formaldehyde and ammonia. According to a report in 2010 from the National Cancer Institute, there are at least 250 chemicals found in secondhand smoke that are considered harmful, toxic and possibly related to cancer-causing agents. Exposure to secondhand smoke can lead to lung cancer, respiratory tract infections, heart disease and nasal sinus cancer.
States Smoking Bans
The American Lung Association reports that as of 2010 there are 26 states, including DC, that have enacted the comprehensive law; almost all public places including workplaces, restaurants and bars are now smoke-free. There are still 15 states with weak laws pertaining to public smoking, eight states that have strong laws, and one state in which the comprehensive law has passed but has not yet taken effect as of 2010.
Considerations
The government has taken measures to reduce tobacco use and the exposure of secondhand smoke. Smoke-free laws reduce the health-related impact of secondhand smoke. New funding for programs that help Americans quit smoking has made people aware of the negative effects of smoking. An increase in taxes on tobacco has made some who smoke consider quitting because it is no longer affordable.
