| Numerous solutions to the problem of smoking | | | | smoke, or quit smoking, which is easier done in an |
| have been proposed and tried. This is due to | | | | environment where a quitter does not have to be |
| staggering reports of increased risks of tobacco | | | | reminded so often of, or does not have to |
| smoking related diseases and worldwide deaths | | | | breathe in, his past habit. |
| reaching up to 3 million people a year. Some | | | | Implementation and effectiveness |
| countries have resorted to banning smoking in | | | | There is guaranteed way of finding out if banning |
| public places such as cafes, pubs, and restaurants. | | | | smoking in public places is the only solution to the |
| In Norway, where tobacco advertising has been | | | | smoking problem in the United States. If we look |
| banned for thirty years and a pack of cigarettes | | | | at other countries we will see different results. |
| costs £6, one in three people smoke and | | | | And there will always be opposition, whatever the |
| there has been an increase in tobacco related | | | | final decision will be. It is up to the government to |
| deaths. In Canada, where graphic images of the | | | | decide on what to prioritize: the health, safety and |
| damage done to internal organs by cigarette | | | | wellbeing of its citizens, or the freedom of choice? |
| smoking cover cigarette packs, smoking levels | | | | And once it has finally been decided upon, its |
| are some of the lowest in the world. In Ireland, | | | | success will largely depend on its implementation. |
| where a strict anti-smoking legislation has been | | | | There is fear that even some officers will not |
| introduced, most smokers have observed without | | | | enforce it, just like what happened in Scotland. |
| much contest. Different countries have produced | | | | Yet in Ireland, regional health boards are involved |
| different results as they ban smoking in public | | | | in the enforcement of the ban. They can take |
| places. The question is: will it work for us, too? Is | | | | away licenses from premises ignoring the ban and |
| a smoking ban necessary and effective? Who will | | | | impose fines. |
| actually implement it? | | | | Extreme vs. alternative measures |
| Pros and cons of banning smoking in public places | | | | Banning what could be the world's biggest |
| There are several advantages to banning smoking | | | | addiction or industry is an extreme measure, so |
| in public places. It's going to help government | | | | extreme positive and negative responses are met |
| agencies dealing with air pollution and health. It's | | | | expectations. To present it more pleasantly to |
| going to earn money in countries where fines for | | | | people and to generate more favourable results, |
| individuals and premises where smoking is caught | | | | some countries slowly implement the ban through |
| is imposed. It's going to reduce the risk of | | | | compromises. Pubs can be 80% smoke-free. |
| incurring smoking related diseases and the colossal | | | | Others group the same kind of businesses |
| number of smoking related deaths which is the | | | | together, so different types of businesses will |
| threat behind the issue. And it also means allowing | | | | implement it at different times - a slow but |
| non-smokers the freedom to exercise their right | | | | steady implementation, some sort of shock |
| to clean air and healthy lungs, which gets stepped | | | | absorber. Advertising can also be utilized to |
| on every time they inhale involuntary smoke. | | | | advertise the health effects not just on cigarette |
| Some against it would say that it is bad for | | | | packs but also in print and TV. |
| business, since some smokers' responses have | | | | The government can not, despite allegations, |
| been they would rather drink and smoke at | | | | altogether remove personal freedom. It can only |
| home. But in countries where the ban has already | | | | do so much as to prevent non-smokers from |
| been implemented, businesses did not wane and | | | | suffering the ill effects of actions they did not |
| some have actually gained wider support. If all | | | | commit. A ban on smoking in public places, or |
| businesses implement the ban, then they leave | | | | other alternative measure, might just enhance |
| consumers with "virtually" no choice - simply step | | | | one's awareness of the rights of other people, or |
| outside a pub or bar every time they want to | | | | improve the use of one's freedom. |