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Assignment: Some 126 million nonsmokers are exposed to secondhand smoke. U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona repeatedly calls this “involuntary smoking” and it puts people at increased risk of death from lung cancer, heart disease, and other illnesses. Moreover, he states that there is “no risk-free level of secondhand smoke exposure”, a conclusion that’s sure to fuel already growing efforts at public smoking bans nationwide.

Yet, there is a concern about young children who can’t escape their parents’ addiction in search of cleaner air – just over one in five children is exposed to secondhand smoke at home, where workplace bans don’t reach. Those children are at increased risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome); lung infections such as pneumonia; ear infections; and more severe asthma.

What are your thoughts on public smoking bans and what about bans on private smoking? Be sure to back up your thoughts with solid scientific evidence and cite any outside references in your post.

Source: Carmona, R.H. (2006, June 27). The Health Effects of Secondhand Smoke. Remarks at press conference to launch Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke: A Report of the Surgeon General. (Links to an external site.) Washington, D.C. Retrieved from: Office of the U.S. Surgeon General

Post 1

I think people have a right to there own personal choices. However, I believe that public smoking bans are beneficial because the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Public smoking negatively impacts bystanders and exposes them to carcinogens, irritants, and poor air quality that they otherwise would not be exposed to. In regards to private smoking, I do not think a ban on that would be feasible despite the negative effects it has on children. But perhaps other methods of discouraging individuals from smoking would be beneficial. Perhaps a heavier tax on cigarettes could be put into place. Smoking is not only taxing on the individuals body but also on our healthcare system. It is heavily burdened by smokers because of the increase in respiratory conditions that are associated with smoking as well as heart conditions and cancer. One must wonder how much sickness could be reduced if the amount of smokers significantly decreased. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK44316/#rpt-s…

Post 2

  Secondhand smoke is the combination of smoke from the burning end of a cigarette and the smoke breathed out by smokers.          Secondhand smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, of which hundreds are toxic and about 70 can cause cancer. And with Nonsmokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke are inhaling many of the same cancer-causing substances and poisons as regular smokers.     “Nonsmokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke at home or at work increase their risk of developing lung cancer by 20–30%.”   However, breathing secondhand smoke can have immediate adverse effects on your blood and blood vessels, increasing the risk of having a heart attack and with secondhand smoke can way worst then just smoking.Also  Studies show that older children whose parents smoke get sick more often. Their lungs grow less than children who do not breathe secondhand smoke, and they get more bronchitis and pneumonia.https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/secondhand_smoke/health_effects/index.htm#causes-lung-cancer

Post 3

The addictive nature of smoking and secondhand exposure has been the cause of many long-term health issues. According to the CDC, in 2012, smokefree laws were set in place prohibiting smoking indoors of restaurants, bars, and workplaces. In return, studies showed that smokefree laws reduced the rates of hospital admissions and deaths for heart disease, coronary events, respiratory disease, and cerebrovascular accidents. Not only has public smoking been an issue but so has private smoking. Most smokers tend to smoke inside the comfort of their own home or car and there usually is nonsmokers present. For instance, children in the home get exposed to secondhand smoke and inhale toxins daily. These children often suffer from asthma, respiratory infections, and SIDS. I personally feel that everyone is entitled to make decisions for themselves, its their choice. However, I wouldn’t disagree to smoking bans because I feel that there should be boundaries out of respect for nonsmokers and children who obviously don’t have a say in the matter.  Smokefree Policies Improve Health | CDC