The report also says that in places like New York, where there have been bans on smoking in public areas, there is a drop in disease rates related to smoking. However, the studies seem incomplete, in that, there is no concrete evidence that that bans alone are causing the decrease in the disease rates. Other societal and environmental factors could play some role as well. Despite that, I still think that there should be more restrictions on smoking, in general.
Although I realize that smoking is up to the individual, just like alcohol is, it should be put out eventually. Now, that opinion is somewhat biased, since I am very adamant about not smoking. The reason I am like this is because in my elementary school in Canada, a whole week was dedicated to learning about the dangers of smoking. The people who worked at a nearby health institute came to my elementary school and told us the terrible ingredients in a cigarette like tar and formaldehyde. They also had, on display, a healthy human lung and one damaged by years of smoking. What shocked me was that second hand smoke exposure is actually more dangerous to one's health than actually smoking a cigarette! This was because the filter on most cigarette actually abates some of the toxic chemicals that enter the system.
After this experience, I was very even more against smoking than I was before. I believe smoking is a one of the more dangerous health risks in the world today. Now, I realize that the US has a lot of other issues to deal with, regarding health, but maybe if they dedicate some time and effort into bringing more educational information about smoking into schools, the US' citizens will gradually grow old of their love for cigarettes. Now, if the world does this, maybe cigarettes can be gone for good. It's crazy to think that this will happen in the next fifty years, let alone the near future, but maybe eventually, this will become a smoke-free world.
-Henry Zhang
23 comments:
You've hit the nail on the head. Sometimes I question whether we should allow people to smoke at all, because it effects other people. The smoker has the "freedom of choice" to smoke, but doesn't that partially remove the public's right not to be exposed to smoke? This argument is similar to one against drunk driving. Does the intoxicated driver have "the freedom to choose" driving drunk? You could make that argument. But at the same time doesn't that partially remove the public's right not to be hit by a car?
If these studies become more complete, then this argument against it becomes complete. For the moment, go ahead and smoke. But if it is scientifically determined that smokers are killing me with their vice, then smoking needs to go.
Perhaps my reasoning is odd, and I'm clearly biased. But to hell with smoking.
Like Henry and Sam, I am adamantly against smoking. I thought it was smart decision by legislatures in places like New York to ban smoking in restaurants and other public areas where it could be a nuisance to be surrounded by smokers who are quite possibly negatively affecting the health of others. Although, in my opinion, I believe it should be basic human decency not to smoke around others to begin with because of the research that has been done that confirms that second hand smoke is very detrimental to one's health.
I also would like to hope that one day in our lifetime we could all live in a smoke-free world.
I couldn't agree more. Ever since I was a child, my parents have told me that smoking isn't only bad for you, but it's also bad for others around you. I agree with Dana when she says that the smoking ban was a good idea; it certainly was! I hate it when I go to the casinos in Vegas (for the buffets) and everyone is smoking. It's almost as if I'm eating my way into lung cancer. A smoke-free world sounds fantastic. Just tell the tobacco industries that.
We should be quite thankful that we even have these restrictions. There are many countries that allow smoking in the public, such as inside of restaurants.
"Does the intoxicated driver have "the freedom to choose" driving drunk? You could make that argument. But at the same time doesn't that partially remove the public's right not to be hit by a car?
Technically yes, so the reason why we banned driving under the influence is because one right takes priority over the other - the public's right to safety is more important than the freedom to drive drunk.
Normally, I would try to find a way to counterargue the post, but there is too little wiggle room for me to argue.
"Now, I realize that the US has a lot of other issues to deal with, regarding health, but maybe if they dedicate some time and effort into bringing more educational information about smoking into schools, the US' citizens will gradually grow old of their love for cigarettes."
An idealistic thought, but it's not realistic. People smoke even though they know it's bad for them. It's hard to miss that fact - there are even warning labels on cigarette packs about the dangers of smoking.
To put it into perspective, many students know that procrastinating our work until the last minute is bad, but it still happens anyways. The same principle governs smoking.
Well, Kevin, that's why I said gradually. Maybe if the children are taught about the dangers about tobacco, they can be conditioned to never smoking in the future. I'm not saying that this will happen in the next 50 or even 100 years, but hopefully eventually. One can only hope.
As for realism, reality changes. 100 years ago, a Black president seemed unrealistic, but now it is reality. We should strive to make a tobacco-free world a reality.
-Henry Zhang
I couldn't agree more. Smoking indeed can be a human right. However, smokers should also consider those around them before they light up a cigarette. Smoking not only effects the smoker but also those around them. I totally agree with everything Sam is saying. Just because an intoxicated driver chooses to drunk drive, it doesn't mean that the public wants to be hit by a car. What happened to their rights/choices when that occurs?
We definitely need to ban tobacco and try to strive for a smoke-free world. Even if that cannot happen in the years to come, but gradually, it might.
http://www.theonion.com/content/video/new_anti_smoking_ads_warn_teens
This will stop people from smoking.
I can kind of see where Kevin is coming from with the procrastinating analogy but it's not really the same. A lot of students are avoiding something they don't want to do. The "benefit" in procrastinating is that you don't have to do something you don't want to. I can't really see any benefits there are in smoking. It's so gross.
Belmont is the first (and probably the most realist) step to banning smoking. In Belmont, people are not allowed to smoke in public places, only their houses. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/27/world/americas/27iht-smoking.1.19706667.html. A lady from Belmont, says, "They're telling you how to live and what to do, and they're doing it right here in America." However, she disregard how her smoking affects the way other people live. Bluntly, I just think this lady is ridiculous. She then goes on to say about the guy, Ray Goodrich, who started the petition (after a fire started in his complex from a smoker's room), "I would not acknowledge that man for anything in the world," she said. "He started this as a vendetta against other residents."
I would really like to meet someone who can explain smoking to me logically.
-Sandy Chen
naw you can compare smoking with procrastination. There are many similar benefits with smoking and procrastination. After all, if there aren't any benefits with smoking, why are so many people doing it?
#1) It's enjoyable
Don't want to do your homework? Then go surf the internet, or watch T.V or play some video games. Procrastinating is fun, and the same goes with smoking. Go outside and blow some Os. I'm pretty sure smoking is enjoyable to those who do it.
#2) Helps deal with stress
Got a stupid mousetrap project to do? Hell, rather than worrying about it, go surf the internet or something. Procrastination helps deal with stress. Smoking also helps deal with stress. The nicotine contains ingredients that help smokers deal with anxiety, stress, and depression. (http://asthmalungdisease.suite101.com/article.cfm/benefits_of_smoking)
#3) It's relaxing
Avoiding a big project/essay is also relaxing. Occupying the mind with something else helps forget the troubles with finishing the homework. Same goes with smoking. Tired of working in a cubical all day? Take a 10 minute smoking break and leave that stressful environment and clear your head.
Well, procrastination doesn't harm other people as much. I know some people can argue (cough, Justin), that in group situations, the procrastinator can harm the grades of the other members. However, second hand smoking can actually cause the physical deterioration of the other people. Nice comparison, nonetheless.
-Henry Zhang
"The "benefit" in procrastinating is that you don't have to do something you don't want to."
But sooner or later, you will have to do that something that you don't want to.
I wouldn't really call it a benefit or boon; I would panic if it's 12 am and I have a research project due the next day that I haven't started yet.
The same is with smoking; all the benefits or boons are false - completely perceived by the user.
its interesting to read an article like this because it reminds me of cigarrette smocking I see in other countries like Chile. every cigarette box you find there has nasty pictures of effects that actual people recieve after long-term smocking, and I think if we were to see more of those kinds of cigarrette cartons in the states, a lot more people could be affected by it significantly more and there could potentially be a reduction of smocking in the states.
Sebastian Escobar
I agree with Sam. Smoking and Drinking both affect others in any circumstances and situations. It's quite impossible to not affect anyone when one smokes or drinks.
Smoking causes second-hand smoke, and drunk driving causes the death of others in the car, on the road, on near the side walk.
Therefore, I think that smoking should be banned in areas where public may be widely exposed.
Kevin: Where's your evidence that there aren't any benefits with smoking? All I see in your post is opinion.
"Kevin: Where's your evidence that there aren't any benefits with smoking? All I see in your post is opinion."
Finally, a challenge.
If you see pleasure as a boon at the expense of one's lungs (and everyone around that person), then sure there is a benefit to smoking.
But of course, the pleasure you get is really just complacency.
Hmm, well I don't smoke so I don't know these things first hand but aren't all the "benefits" you list just results of the addiction caused by nicotine. People feel anxiety and stress when they don't have a cigarette for some amount of time. So it kind of seems that they are more relaxed and less stress because they had fed their addiction. As for enjoyable, I really don't know. But I'm not really sure how much fun my dad is having in the rain right now because I didn't let him smoke in the house.
Oops. Sorry, I was signed onto my yearbook gmail. This is Sandy. haha
Yea, Justin, sorry, but I got to agree with Sandy and Kevin on this one. The only benefit of smoking is a little one. I guess people believe smoking will reduce stress, but that is only because they started in the first place on that false pretense. After they have become addicted, they feel the urge to smoke and thus, when they do they lessen the urge or stress to smoke. This ultimately causes terrible damage to their health and other peoples' who have to keep being in contact with second hand smoke. The only benefit of smoking is on a false pretense, so I guess, if you really want to call that a benefit you can, but its like saying one benefit against thousands of harms.
-Henry Zhang
I wonder if socio-economic background has anything to do with smoking habits. But then again, I should really be careful when talking about class.
I always hated smokeing and this does put the icing on the cake! I wish that I could be able to show this to others it would help to make a difference in the world. I am happy that teachers out these things into classes to show how horrifying it is.
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