Should Public

Smoking be
Illegal?
By Brandon Castaneda
English 2100
Elissa Stone
March 11, 2017
 Attention Smokers
Keep an open mind about the information that is
provided. It might help lessen the negative side effects that
you would have to deal with later or are dealing with
currently. Though even with this information, only you can
change yourself.
 Introduction
One of the many issues that surround us on our day to
day life is smoking. This isnt something that everyone has
to deal with, but it is still a major issue. Smoking causes
problems for those who are doing it, as well as those around
you.
In the past 10-15 years, the amount of smokers in the
United States has dropped by a large percentage. In 2005,
the percentage of adults who smoked was around 21%.
However in 2015, we have lowered that percentage to
around 15%. But for many, that percentage is still not low
enough.
 Purpose for this Project
The habit of smoking is not a great one. It negatively
effects not only you life, but those around you. This project
has the potential to change many lives, however one person
would be enough. There are many places where you would
not be able to smoke in public. Though, should that be
broadened to include everywhere that is considered public?
 Health Effects
There are a great amount of health risks that is caused by smoking.
1. Addiction, this is brought by the nicotine that is in cigarettes.
2. Dry skin and lose of elasticity.
3. Stressed heart, because smoking raises your blood pressure. Making it
harder to pump your blood.
4. Fatty deposits in your blood.
5. Scarred lung, and infections develop as well.
6. Physical changes in your eyes that lead to blindness and night vision.
7. Cavities, Ulcers, Gum Disease, and other mouth risks show up from the
tobacco usage.
 Diseases and Other Risks
Heart disease: Condition when the blood vessels become narrowed or blocked.
Leading to heart attacks, chest pain, or even strokes.
Lung Cancer: This is the mutation of the tissue cells that are in your lungs.
Approximately, 7,330 deaths are contributed a year from lung cancer.
Emphysema: this is when the air sacs (Alveoli) that allow oxygen to be absorbed
into the bloodstream are destroyed. The alveoli do not grow back, leading to
shortness of breath and even death.
Respiratory infections: There are tiny hairs in the lungs that help get out debris
and mucus. Smoking destroys those hairs, making infections easier to develop.
Smoking can weaken your immune system, making it harder to heal from sickness.
It can also destroy cells in your muscles and bones.
Visual Statistics, taken from information
given by the Center for Disease Control
 Secondhand Smoke Facts
Lung cancer causes approximately 7,330 deaths per year to
Secondhand smokers.
Heart disease at about 33,950 deaths.
Our economy takes a $5.6 billion hit each year in loss of
productivity.
The success rate of workers rises as cigarette count drops.
It causes 430 Sudden Infant Death Syndrome deaths annually.
The count of hospitalizations for children and infants under the
age of 18 months, is estimated between 7,500 to 15,000.
 Those Fighting Smoking
The Center for Disease Control: The main source of the
negative side effects of smoking.
American Legacy Foundation: A nonprofit organization
famous for suing the four largest U.S. tobacco companies
to recover the costs for caring for sick smokers.
Other communities that help people quit, such as the Quit
Smoking Community.
 Should Public Smoking be
Illegal?
The answer to that is complicated. Yes, there
should be more regulations involved for protecting
those who are affected by secondhand smoke. But
due to the addiction, the tobacco, and the large
tobacco companies; it would be very hard to pass
laws for public smoking. At this point, we should
rely more on spreading information about the
negatives in an effort to get people to quit.
 Why Should You Quit?
The negatives for smoking are far greater than the
positives. Sure you can use smoking as a way to handle
stress, but there are better methods. You are just wasting
your money, time, and your life by smoking. Not only that,
but you are negatively affecting your family, friends, and
others.
I hope that the information that I have provided has
opened your eyes. If it didnt, then at least you have some
knowledge on what you are risking. Just try to be more
considerate towards the thoughts, feelings, and the health
of others.
 How to Quit
Use nicotine patches.
Avoid the things that make you want to smoke.
Try quitting cold turkey, meaning to cut yourself off completely.
Slowly lessen the amount that you smoke a day.
Focus on the reasons for why you want to quit.
Acupressure.
Join a community of those who have quit, they will help you
through your hard time.
 Conclusion
There are too many reasons for why you should
quit smoking. There are also many reasons for why
it wont be illegal. It has a massive negative impact
on you and those around you. But if you want to
change, you need to put in the effort. It is a hard
habit to break, but you will definitely be a better
person for it.
 Citations
Current Cigarette Smoking Among Adults in the United States. (2016, December
01). March 1 2, 2017, from
https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/adult_data/cig_ smoking/
Green, N. (2016, January 03). What Is the Most Effective Way to Quit Smoking? -
Quit Smoking Community. March 12, 2017, from
https://quitsmokingcommunity.org/what- is-the-most-effective-way-to- quit-smoking
Health Effects. February 25, 2017, from https://www.smokefree.gov/quitting-
smoking/reasons-quit/health-effects
Health Effects of Secondhand Smoke. February 25, 2017, from
http://www.lung.org/stop- smoking/smoking-facts/health-effects-of-secondhand-
smoke.html