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Smoking in Public

Introduction

Tobacco smoke is composed of sidestream smoke from burning cigarettes (85%) and exhaled mainstream smoke (15%). Sidestream smoke is emitted off the end of a burning cigarette between puffs; mainstream smoke is first inhaled by an active smoker and then exhaled (9). The chemical composition of mainstream smoke has been more extensively characterized than that of sidestream smoke. Over 4,000 individual constituents have been identified in mainstream smoke, and approximately 400 compounds have been measured quantitatively in both. Constituents of both components include eye and respiratory irritants, systemic toxicants, mutagens, and carcinogens but sidestream smoke contains a relatively higher concentration of the toxic gaseous component than mainstream smoke (Ader et al 99). This amount of poison is not only enough for gradually destroying a smokers' health; but it could, through passive smoking, threaten the lives of people around, including his/her immediate family and the wider community. A lot of legislation restricts the production and use of tobacco and tobacco products. However, the incidence of smoking in public continues to be a vital concern among the public health policymakers and proper laws to regulate this menace have yet to come. The solutions to smoking cessation include both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. However, chronic smokers face a hard time doing away with the habit and as such continue to damage their health as well as others health, through passive or second hand (SHS) smoking (Leffingwell 313). This paper will first place light on the legislative efforts put forward against smoking and will then evaluates how successful these efforts have been over time. Further the paper will propose solutions for controlling the smoking-in-public incidence with a particular focus on electronic cigarettes as a means for reducing the anti-smoking policy loopholes.

Thesis Statement

Cities should have well specified and enclosed areas with clear signs where smokers can freely smoke to reduce second hand smoke and better relationship with in our communities.

Discussion

Secondhand smoke, also known as environmental tobacco smoke, is a complex mixture of gases and particles and includes smoke from burning cigarettes, cigars, and pipe tobacco (sidestream smoke) and exhaled main stream smoke. According to the National Toxicology Program, sidestream smoke and mainstream smoke contain at least 250 chemicals known to be toxic or carcinogenic. Exposure to secondhand smoke results in heart disease, lung cancer, and other diseases in nonsmoking adults.

Passive smoking is still common in homes, workplaces and public places in many countries, although in recent years there has been some progress, with increasing number of countries introducing smoke-free workplace legislation and other tobacco control measures. Some studies have suggested that smoke-free workplaces also reduce smoking it home, and thus lead to reduced passive smoking at home. This may be explained by both increased awareness of the adverse health effects of passive smoking and the reduced active smoking detected in many studies as a consequence of the legislation. However, it is not possible to introduce legislation to protect directly those who are most vulnerable to the harmful effects of ...