Reasons Why Public Smoking Should Be Banned

Many people have a strong opinions on whether or not a public smoking ban should be enacted. Many states have already enacted some sort of restrictive ban, especially in or around workplaces and restaurants. There are many reasons why all states should enact public smoking bans.

Protection of Nonsmokers

• There are many people who choose not to smoke, and one of the main reasons that people choose not to smoke is because of the known health risks of smoking. When exposed to second-hand cigarette smoke, their bodies are being involuntarily exposed to the very health risks these nonsmokers are trying to avoid.

Protection of Employees

• Along those same lines, there are also many people involuntarily exposed to cigarette smoke through the course of their jobs. Studies by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have found that many restaurant workers and bartenders were suffering the same ill-effects of smoking, even though they were not smoking themselves.

Protection of Children

• Children exposed to second-hand cigarette smoke often are not as healthy as children who are not exposed. They suffer from more respiratory illness and symptoms, allergies, and asthma.