| Giving More Teeth to Anti-Smoking Laws? | | | | support non-smoking campaigns on the campus. |
| Non-smokers are now inhaling less secondhand | | | | In Florida, USA the state will be spending $55 |
| smoke. This development was reported by the | | | | million to prevent teenage smoking. The strategy |
| US Center for Disease Control and Prevention. | | | | is to stop nicotine addiction before it starts. It can |
| This is owed to the efforts of lawmakers to ban | | | | be recalled that Florida was one of the first |
| smoking in specific public areas. However, there is | | | | American states to win a lawsuit against tobacco |
| still a need to strengthen local and international | | | | companies for misleading the public about the |
| laws against cigarette smoking. Public awareness | | | | dangers of smoking amid warnings and facts |
| about the facts about smoking helps too. | | | | about smoking. |
| The self-destructive habit of millions of Americans | | | | Why Cigarette Smoking Should Be Banned |
| had officials scurrying to pass anti-smoking laws. | | | | Smoking is a vicious habit that should be nipped in |
| The Surgeon General is getting full support from | | | | the bud before it can start. It causes a host of |
| governments worldwide. The World Health | | | | deadly heart and lung conditions and affects |
| Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on | | | | non-smokers through secondhand smoke. There |
| Tobacco Control, which took effect on February | | | | are better and less known facts about smoking |
| 28, 2005, banned smoking in workplaces, bars, | | | | but the strongest argument for quitting the lethal |
| restaurants, and public transport. | | | | tobacco is the early grave and the overwhelming |
| But the real sting is the higher taxes to be | | | | medical expenses for cancer treatments. |
| imposed and the ban on advertising. The battle | | | | Tobacco companies are targeting the youth with |
| against cigarette smoking will create quite a stir in | | | | candy flavored cigarettes and slick packaging. |
| the tobacco industry, which supports millions of | | | | Addiction can start with the first puff and |
| workers worldwide. The tobacco industry, which is | | | | continue for a lifetime with dire results. The best |
| a major source of government revenues, will do | | | | time to quit the habit is to nip it before it can |
| their best to protect their interests. | | | | even start. |
| US Laws | | | | Tobacco Backlash |
| In the US, stringent laws banning cigarette | | | | Smoking kills. This is a fact, and there are |
| smoking in indoor public areas are put into effect. | | | | emerging issues about it. Desperate tobacco |
| In California, three cities - Calabasas, Burbank, and | | | | companies are taking up arms against |
| Santa Monica are regulating non-smoking and | | | | anti-smoking campaigns. According to them, loss |
| smoking areas outdoors. This is to protect | | | | of revenues will also affect millions of workers |
| residents and tourists from secondhand smoke, | | | | worldwide. Other negative developments are |
| which has contributed to several health issues. | | | | cigarette smuggling and dumping the tobacco |
| In the enclosed workplace, smoking is banned. | | | | products in third world countries. But should these |
| The law requires employers to designate smoking | | | | be considered in the light of the dangers smoking |
| and non-smoking areas. The smoking and | | | | exposes to the public? |
| non-smoking signs should be prominently displayed | | | | Smokers are also up in arms about the violation |
| and should be strictly enforced. Violation of the | | | | of their right to smoke, but efforts continue to |
| law will cost employers stiff fines. | | | | educate the public on facts about smoking - in |
| As laws are enacted, public support is necessary | | | | schools, in the internet, print media, and other |
| to air the facts about smoking that can help the | | | | forms of interactive media. The debate reasons |
| public, especially the youth, to understand the | | | | that if smokers have the right to smoke and kill |
| health implications of smoking cigarettes and | | | | themselves, they should not include the |
| secondhand smoke. Schools are enlisting to | | | | unsuspecting public. |