Breathe Easy Stay Healthy People see it everyday, in the newspapers, the movies, on the news, and even in person. People smoking and others inhaling their second-hand smoke. The laws are buckling down on this, but there is still a lot to be done. Smoking is not only bad for a person, but second-hand smoke is turning out to be even worse. Second-hand smoke is worse because it contains more of the dangerous substances found in cigarettes and more of the raw tobacco smoke, it is impossible to avoid, and it is everywhere. A person who smokes chooses to do so, but someone who inhales the smoke is not given the choice.
Is it fair that ones health should suffer and it is not even their fault? The government does not think so; they are working hard to create laws and bans against public smoking. To ban public smoking would remove risks of passive smoking, reduce the risks of fire, and cut the cost of cleaning, says Liam Donaldson (“Smoking in Workplace”).
People who work in bars and restaurants are most at risk for passive smoking for they deal with cigarettes constantly. It is this environment that worries the government. People who do not smoke, but simply work in an environment that allows it should not have to be at risk too. According to chief medical officer, Liam Donaldson ” Over 3 million people become passive smokers when they go to work.” (“Smoking in Workplace”).
A workplace could set up different areas to smoke in and good ventilation systems in those areas to help protect employees. If smoking was not allowed in the workplace the business could lower their premium on fire, because by not allowing smoking in the building, the chance of fire is decreased. Also the carpet, curtains, and office equipment would not have to be cleaned as often if smoking were not allowed. This would save businesses money, but yet the business worries those customers that smoke will not come in.
The government assures that this is not a personal vendetta against those that smoke; they are just trying to look out for those that are in danger of inhaling the smoke. A lot of people are trying to quit smoking and dread going to work, because they are constantly around it. If working places became smoke free it would help those people trying to quit kick the habit. The government hopes that non-smoking will become a popular social seen and spread quickly, therefore making their job that much easier. A survey shows that food service establishments were ranked number one when it comes to exposures to second-hand smoke. (“Smoking in Food Establishments”).
Roughly 30, 00 deaths are contributed to second-hand smoke, according to the survey must of these people were exposed to the second-hand smoke while at a food service establishment. If a family goes into a restaurant they want to enjoy themselves, not cough because smoke is being blown into their faces. A lot of mothers even avoid public food establishments wanting to keep their children safe. If restaurants would become smoke free, researchers believe families would dine out more often. This would bring more money into the restaurant. Plus just like a business the restaurant would have lower insurance, cleaning bills, and would keep people from breathing passive smoke.
One researcher went as far to say that a smoke free restaurant seems cleaner and better managed than one that has smoking in it. If the cook smokes is a person sure he washes his hands before cooking again, if not what germs are the customers eating. Same goes for the wait staff as well after all they touch all of our plates, drinks, and etc. People want to know they are safe and that a restaurant is sanitary.
A restaurant would not have to completely give up smoking, but they could make it better for non-smokers. Restaurants could put up barriers so that the smoke does not drift into non-smoking sections. They could also install more ventilation systems, put smokers in a whole separate room, and restaurants could do away with common use areas or at least make them non-smoking. People smoke several cigarettes a day and do not even realize what all they are taking into their bodies.
A news report called the chemicals is cigarettes “a lethal cocktail.” (“Chemicals”).
According to the information just released by the British Government, cigarettes contain: a paint stripper, a lighter fluid, a toilet cleaner, a poison used in gas chambers, the chemicals in mothballs, a rocket fuel, and many other chemicals. One cannot possibly know what these substances can do to a body. The American Lung Association says 20% of the population are at risk of developing lung disease from second-hand smoke.
Lung Cancer kills more than 3, 000 Americans per year. Second-hand smoke is also the cause of fatal and nonfatal heart attacks. Second-hand smoke is the third leading cause of preventable death. Smokers argue that your going to die sometime any way so there is no such thing is preventable death. (Spittles).
Work Cited Action on Smoking and Health.
“Chemicals in Cigarettes and Smoke.” 3 Sept. 2003. “Chief Medical Officer Calls for Ban on Workplace Smoking.” Occupational Health. Aug. 2003. Academic Search Premier.
12 Sept. 2003. P 7. Spittles, Joy. Personal Interview. 12 Sept.
2003.