The Arguments...

Let’s Ban Smoking (For)

According to an online article, “No Smoking,” 120,000 smokers die every year of smoking-related diseases such as lung cancer and heart attacks and the problem is not getting better. The public who support the smoking ban believe that it will improve their won health, the health of others, as well as help the environment, and get rid of less unpleasant smells. Furthermore, if the smoking ban does take place there is a good chance for smokers to quit smoking all together. Although smoking was a sexy, sophisticated, and attractive today it is seen as a nuisance. According to World Health Organization smoking is a greater cause of death compared to other diseases. A 2006 Surgeon General’s report on the health effects of secondhand smoke concluded that there are no safe levels of exposure to passive cigarette smoke. We have to think about others and the effects that it would bring to non-smokers, especially children – the future of our society.

No Smoking Ban (Against)

Smokers consider it to be an inconvenience to not be able to commodity their habit of smoking. They see the smoking ban as an infringement of civil liberties. Business owners believe that their customers would drop in rate, especially in places like the bar. The issue of regulation is also known to cause some problems. How would bars and restaurants deal with customers who refuse to obey the law? Also, the smokers usually do not understand why they are being targeted for something that is in their own will. Why shouldn’t the drinkers be banned from public places as well because drinking is bad for ones health also.

Smoking bad for health

In the recent Casper Star Tribune article, “Gillette explores smoking ban,” Gillette is thinking about banning smoking in restaurants, bars, and public places. So far, Laramie, Cheyenne and Evanston are the only places in Wyoming that have enacted smoking bands. The residents in Gillette had opposing view points on the ban: some think that it would improve the community’s health, while others believe the government should not tell business owners what to do.The City Council in Gillette decided to bring the issue banning smoking after the statewide ban failed the state Legislature this winter. From a business point of view enforcing a complete ban on smoking in public areas such as restaurants or bars would cause many angry and frustrated customers. While smokers are free to harm their heath, the health of others should also be considered. Second hand smoke harms even in small amounts. I believe that Gillette should ban smoking in restaurants, bars, and other public places. We can start town by town and maybe soon enough we will have all of Wyoming participating.