Ban Smoking

Essay by Mike D'AmbroCollege, UndergraduateA-, January 1996

download word file, 3 pages 3.9

Ban Smoking

Although smoking is a proven killer, Americans waste hundreds of dollars each

year on tobacco products. Other drugs that are harmful, such as crack or marijuana, are

illegal in the United States. However, the use of cigarettes, which kills millions

worldwide annually, is perfectly legal. If certain harmful substances are illegal, then

cigarettes should not be permitted either.

Smoking has several harmful effects on the body. Cigarettes cause eighty-five

percent of lung cancer and are responsible for thirty percent of all deaths resulting from

cancer. (Bartecchi, 49) People who have smoked for a significant period of time will

have noticeable problems breathing and will most likely be in poor health. One out of

four deaths of people thirty-five to sixty-four years old result from smoking. On the

average, every cigarette takes five and a half minutes of life away from a smoker.

(Bartecchi, 46) Although restrictions have been placed on the use of cigarettes in public

areas such as restaurants and airplanes, the US has yet to place a ban on smoking.

The

government frequently inspects items sold to the American public. Commercial products

that may be dangerous such as food, cars, and toys have been recalled in order for

alterations. In the August 1995 issue of consumer reports, twenty-four products were

recalled because of possible dangers to the consumer. These products included a car that

may lose a wheel while in motion, a hair dryer that poses a fire hazard, and cookies that

can cause an allergic reaction. (Consumer Reports, 500) Yet, the sale of cigarettes,

known to be unsafe, has never been prohibited by the government. Why are cigarettes

any different from other products sold in the US.

Cigarettes are not only harmful to users, but are also damaging to all people in the

vicinity of a smoker. Second hand smoke from cigarettes is just as damaging as smoke

inhaled by users. Each year, 53,000 people die from the effects of second hand smoke. A

person living with a spouse who smokes has a thirty percent higher chance of getting

lung cancer. (Bartecchi, 49) Parents who smoke force their children to breathe the fumes

every day. Seventeen percent of lung cancer is attributed to people who grew up with

parents who were smokers. Children of smokers have a lower birth rate and are often less

intelligent. (Bartecchi, 49) People who have chosen to smoke have accepted the

unhealthy risk of the drug. However, nonsmokers have not opted for the hazards involved

with smoking and therefore should not be introduced to these hazards. The government

has chosen not to place a ban on a drug that puts even the nonusers at risk to health

problems. People who do not smoke must always be wary of toxic cigarette fumes that

may be in their presence.

Most people are aware of the health risks involved with smoking. For this reason

cigarette manufacturers have invested much of their advertising campaign to the most

uninformed segment of the population, minors. The average age to start smoking in the

US is fourteen and a half years old. Ads such as the cartoon character Joe Camel, A

camel who rides a motorcycle in the presence of attractive women, are obvious gimmicks

to attract children and teenagers. Before the appearance of 'Joe Camel', Camel cigarettes

made six million dollars from sales to minors. However, just two years after the first

appearance of the cartoon character, sales of Camel cigarettes to minors rose to $476

million. In a recent study, just as many six year old children recognized 'Mickey Mouse'

as 'Joe Camel.' (Bartecchi, 47-48) Thousands of minors become addicted to cigarettes

every year, posing health problems later in life. The US should not allow the sale of a

product aimed at harming our children.

Cigarettes cause health problems in smokers as well as nonsmokers. They harm

adults as they do youth. Although smoking has only negative effects on the body, the use

of cigarettes is legal while other drugs are banned. Most products proven dangerous are

banned or recalled. Cigarettes should be no different.