Smoke Free America

The debate over whether or not smoking should be banned in public places has escalated over the years. Why should innocent men, woman and children have to suffer the effects associated with smoking? By eliminating smoking in public places nationwide, second hand smoke and smoke odor would be eliminated thus benefiting the innocent bystanders of our society.

Smoking not only affects those who partake in the physical act but also those who are in close proximity to the one who is smoking. People who smoke affect those around them by unintentionally giving off second hand smoke. Second-hand smoke is classified as a Group A carcinogen that causes headaches, nausea, cancer and heart disease.

The strong odor produced from smoke lingers in one’s clothing and hair. Clothing worn in a bar for thirty minutes may still smell like smoke three days later. The smell protruding off the clothing is classified as third hand smoke, an invisible yet toxic combination of particles and chemicals that affects neurological development.

According to The Center for Disease Control, smoke filled rooms have six times the air pollution as busy streets. Why would a nonsmoker want to inhale all of those pollutants and risk their health? By banning smoking in public places second hand smoke and smoke odor (third hand smoke) would not be exposed to innocent bystanders.

-Birgitta Monson