What Is The Smoking Ban?

All about the smoking ban and its progression, along with information relating to second hand smoke.

The effect of second hand smoke have lead many cities and states to ban smoking in certain areas and establishments. Although many smokers fear an all out smoking ban, the laws were put in place to ban smoking in public places.  Anti smoking advocates merely worry about the health of people who don't smoke, but are subject to second hand smoke in public and at work.

Smoking Ban

Prior to the smoking ban, when you would go out to eat you were offered the option of sitting in either a smoking or non-smoking section.  When this system was set up it was designed to give smokers the option to light up at their table, rather than having to go outside. It also gave the patrons who were not smoking the option to eat in an area of the restaurant where they wouldn't be subjected to smell of someone else's cigarette smoke. Later it was discovered that the smoke merely circulates the building through the ventilation system and subjects everyone in the building to the effects of the second hand smoke. This became particularly concerning for workers in food service, bars and casinos. Many of these workers supported and campaigned for the smoking ban.

Most cities in the United States currently do not allow smoking in public places, like stores, malls and restaurants. Bar owners felt that the smoking ban would impact their business in a negative way and protested the smoking ban. Many cities made certain provisions within the law that would allow for patrons to still smoke in bars. Casino owners felt similar to bar owners about the smoking ban negatively impacting their business.  In many states provisions were made to allow smoking areas to remain in casinos. This left many casino workers unhappy and many of them protested the decision. The battle over smoking in casinos still wages on in many states.

The Effects of Second Hand Smoke

There was a time when everyone lit up in public and nobody thought twice about it. Now when a smoker lights up it sends many people running for the door. The reason for this drastic change in culture, was the evidence scientist discovered about the health effects of second hand smoke.  The health effects of quitting smoking don't just benefit the smoker, they benefit the smoker's entire family. Although second hand smoke is particularly harmful to young children and workers exposed to smoke on a regular basis, it is hazardous to everyone. Second hand smoke does cause cancer in individuals that don't smoke. Thousands of lung cancer deaths annually are caused second hand smoke and second hand smoke can also cause heart disease.  It can also cause fluid in the ear, upper respiratory infections and it can aggravate the symptoms of an individual with asthma.

The smoking ban was not put in place to ban smoking altogether. It was merely designed to reduce the exposure of second hand smoke for innocent bystanders. The smoking ban continues to evolve each year in cities around America.