Cigarettes Are Made of Some Kinds of Harmful Materials, Such As Tar and Nicotine

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Ho Hiu Tung, Comet, 2005057670

ECEN1906I, Clarice

To ban or not?

Cigarettes are made of some kinds of harmful materials, such as tar and nicotine. Nicotine is addictive while breathing in tar will damage the respiratory system. It is believed that prolong smoking will probably obtain lung cancer and heart diseases and so some “health researchers say that smoking cuts short the lives of about one-third of long-termsmokers” (Perez-Pena 2004). More concern is needed on the second-hand smoking since it has the same harmful effect as that of first-hand smoking. According to a survey conducted by Deborah Lader & Eileen Goddard, most of the people “thought that a child's risk of getting chest infections and asthma were increased by second-hand smoking”(National Statistics 2005).Therefore, this article is aimed to analysis the most effective way to stop the number of smokers from increasing.

Nowadays, more and more people start smoking in their early ages. This circumstance is caused by the belief of smoking is a must in social function (Moy 2005). Hence, someone suggests that “banning smoking in restaurants, pubs and entertainment venues may cut tobaccoconsumption significantly” (Moy 2005) which the overseas experience has been proven the practicability.

There are two drawbacks of this suggestion. The first one is the impact on the business of the firms, especially the pubs. Their representative argues that “there is a close link between cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption” (Lau 2005). However, the problem is not as serious as they think since the incentive of going to pubs to enjoy a mug of beer is greater for the non-smokers. Besides, “a survey found that 88 per cent of smokers interviewed would not quit because of the ban” (Moy 2005) which gives evidence that the impact on the business is quite small.

The other drawback of the suggestion is the safety of the customers. Some entertainment venues are located at the upper levels which do not have any space for the smokers. As a result, smokers will congregate at the fire exits and the elevators which will lead to congestion (Lau 2005). It is very dangerous if a fire break out. In my opinion, a room with ventilation system should be provided for them to smoke in order to solve this problem.

To stop the number of smokers from increasing, raising the tax on cigarette is another solution (Moy 2005). However, from my point of view, the most effective way is to ban smoking in those public areas. Therefore, I hope the government can impose the law as soon as possible so as to make the air cleaner very soon.

(422 words)

Reference:

Lau, M. (2005). Bars and karaokes try to stub out smoking ban. The Standard, 21 September.

Moy, P. (2005). Smoke ban would cut allure for youth.South China Morning Post, 23 September.

National Statistics (2005). Two in three people in favour of smoking restrictions in pubs. National Statistics, 7 July.

Perez-Pena, R. (2004). A city of quitters? In strict New York, 11% fewer smokers. The New York Times, 12 May.

Tobacco Control Office (2004). Age at first smoking.Department of Health. Retrieved 11 October 2005, from