Secondhand Smoke Exposure

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses how despite the strong evidence that second-hand smoke is linked to serious illnesses and deaths in non-smokers, there continues to be tremendous controversy surrounding smoking bans in public places. The paper explains that some believe such a ban violates the rights of business owners to establish the rules for their businesses and it infringes upon the rights of smokers. However, others believe that the health effects of second-hand smoke are sufficiently negative to support banning smoking in public places. The paper looks at the two groups that are the most vulnerable to the effects of secondhand smoke exposure; employees and children. The paper concludes that the reasons are compelling for a ban on smoking in public.

From the Paper:

"Everyone is aware of the negative effects of cigarette smoking. That smoking cigarettes causes heart disease, lung disease, and several types of cancer is well-documented. Less well known is the fact that secondhand smoke is very dangerous as well. Secondhand smoke includes two types of smoke; that "given off by the burning end of a cigarette, pipe, or cigar and the smoke exhaled from the lungs of smokers." (American Lung Association). Secondhand smoke is a known carcinogen and is linked to about 3,000 lung cancer deaths in nonsmokers each year. (American Lung Association). In addition, secondhand smoke is known to cause heart disease in nonsmokers; about 35,000 nonsmokers die of secondhand smoke-caused heart disease each year and nonsmokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke are 25 percent more likely to have coronary heart disease than other nonsmokers."

Sample of Sources Used:

• American Lung Association. "Secondhand Smoke Fact Sheet." LungUSA.org. 2004.American Lung Association. 6 Mar. 2006 <http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=35422>.
• Barry, Matt. "Smoke-free Laws do not Harm Business at Restaurants and Bars." Tobaccofreekids.org. 2005. The Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids. 6 Mar. 2006 <http://tobaccofreekids.org/research/factsheets/pdf/0144.pdf>.
• Connolly, Gregory, et al. "Evaluation of the Massachusetts Smoke-Free Workplace Law: APreliminary Report." Harvard School of Public Health. 2005. Harvard University. 6 Mar. 2006 <http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/php/pri/tcrtp/Smoke-free_Workplace.pdf>.
• Halpern, Michael, et al. "Impact of Smoking Status on Workplace Absenteeism and Productivity." Tobacco Control. Autumn 2001: 10:233-238. TC Online. Internet Explorer. 6 Mar. 2006 <http://tc.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/10/3/233?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&author1=halpern&andorexactfulltext=and&searchid=1141660788979_934&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=relevance&volume=10&resourcetype=1&journalcode=tobaccocontrol>.
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. "Indoor Environmental Asthma Triggers- SecondhandSmoke." EPA.gov. 2006. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 6 Mar. 2006 <http://www.epa.gov/iaq/asthma/shs.html>.

More papers on Secondhand Smoke Exposure:

• Cause and Effect Essay # 112086 : "Secondhand Smoke and Children"
• Essay # 84179 : "Risks of Secondhand Smoking"
• Essay # 98004 : "Attention-Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: