Matters Arising: Lagos State House of Assembly has signed into Law a Bill banning smoking in public places.
There are many reasons why the State should take the implementation of public smoking ban seriously.
Ban on smoking in public places is an issue of public health and safety for all Lagosians and even visitors.
There are many good reasons not to allow smokers to smoke in public places. Almost all of those reasons have to do with public health and safety.
Secondhand smoke studies have shown that secondhand smoke inhaled by someone in the proximity of a smoker to be almost as dangerous as smoking a cigarette. Smokers choose to put their own health in danger by smoking, but smoking in a public place puts others in danger as well.
Secondhand smoke is known to increase the chances of a victim developing lung cancer later in life.
Children exposed to secondhand smoke have a greater risk of developing asthma, lower respiratory infections, middle ear infections, and sudden infant death syndrome. Pregnant women exposed to secondhand smoke equally have an increased chance of delivering low birth-weight babies.
The Smell Of Cigarette Smoke
One good reason to ban smokers from smoking in public places is the smell of cigarette smoke. Though the smoke from cigarettes may dissipate fairly and quickly in the air, its smell does not. The odour hangs in the air, clinging to people and their clothing. Thus, someone who does not smoke may carry the smell of someone else’s cigarette smoke around all day.
Allergies
Many people with allergies find that their symptoms are aggravated by cigarette smoke. Cigarette smoke is quite dangerous to some people. Those already with allergies that cause nasal congestion or breathing difficulties may experience more severe symptoms from cigarette smoke inhalation.
Emphysema And Breathing Difficulties
Cigarette smoke may be dangerous to those with allergies, but it can be more dangerous to people with chronic respiratory conditions. Smokers may be inadvertently risking the lives of those with conditions such as asthma or emphysema.
Cigarettes And Fire
Not all smokers take care to extinguish their cigarettes thoroughly. On top of that, many smokers still extinguish their cigarettes by throwing them on the ground. This makes a difference on asphalt or concrete – other than littering. But in a wooded or grassy area, a still-burning cigarette can spark a dangerous fire.
When the Bill becomes Law, smoking in most public places will be banned. Smokers will no longer smoke in stores, bars or restaurants, streets, etc. Many of these locations will prohibit smokers from smoking outside of their doors.
Example, a mall will post signs outside of all its doors warning smokers not to smoke in the immediate vicinity of the mall.
Smokers may think that a smoking ban in public places is a breach of their freedom. Non-smokers may think smoking is a breach of theirs too, as they are unable to use public spaces without being exposed to
poisonous tobacco smoke. There are just too many reasons to support this ban.
More
- Banning cigarette smoking in public places would result in a much healthier environment.
- Banning public smoking may seem severe, but it would provide multiple benefits.
- If smoking in public places is banned, thousands of lives could be saved, individual health care costs might be reduced, and smoke-induced illnesses would be curbed.
- Employers who maintain a smoke-free environment will realize increased productivity because non-smokers call in sick less frequently. Non-smokers also don’t tend to take the equivalent of a smoke break, several times per day, thus decreasing potential productivity.
I do not want to write about how it affects manufacturers and suppliers, because they do not add any benefit to the society.’
Say No To Cigarette Smoking! It Causes Cancer.