There is no denial that cigarette smoking is harmful and smoking as a habit has been on a decline all over the world, particularly among the aware and health conscious populace. Cigarette smoking has two major effects on non-smokers-injurious passive smoking and smoking display that has an invitational or persuasive effect on non-smokers. I believe banning smoking in public places and offices not only will discourage smoking, but will also keep the smoking practice out of site, though it might apparently look like transgress into smoker’s freedom.
There are several reasons that government and private authorities are being strict5 on smoking in offices and even public places. Firstly, this is an accepted fact that smoking is injurious to health. Secondly, smoking causes health hazard to non-smokers who inhale smoke passively from the smokers. Thirdly, smoking has a strong psychologically influence on others, particularly on children and young who learns form their elderly. Fourthly, in many countries the cost of health care and insurance has gone up due to smoking related illnesses. So health authorities and governments are trying to has been seen that due to the restrictions, the habit of smoking is on a decline among office goers.
Though non-smokers think that restricting smoking in offices and public places is a good idea, smokers often view it as a intervention into their right. Smokers argue that cigarette smoking has direct relation to their workplace performance, though passive smoking can cause objections from colleagues.
Though pressure groups such as tobacco companies may discourage restrictions on smoking, since the advantages of ban outweigh the disadvantages, mass public support such bans. Moreover offices have the right to regulate staff behavior and activities and governments too can ban smoking in public places for greater societal benefit.
In conclusion, restricting smoking in workplaces and in public is a good idea. I can also understand the opinion of smokers that banning smoking in such places limits their freedom. However, if the negative effects of smoking were limited only to smokers, I would oppose bans, but as smoking affects the health of others, I support them.
|
