Smoking

It has become "cool" in the world today to condemn smoking. However, although I feel that smoking can be harmful, I do not think it should be banned completely. I have first have to say I am a non-smoker and cannot stand it. I do live in a home with a smoker so I thought I can see it from his point of view. I read that smoking helps many people to relax. For some, it even improves concentration. Many people like to smoke before exams or when they are relaxing with friends.

In my findings I read that governments throughout the world make huge profits from levying taxes on cigarettes. This provides funds which are used for building schools, hospitals and other public amenities. The tobacco industry also employs tens of thousands of people throughout the world, particularly in poorer countries like Zimbabwe or India. Without cigarettes, these people would have no jobs.

As a non-smoker I would think that smokers would respect the space of the non-smokers People should not smoke in a room where there are non-smokers but surely they should be free to smoke elsewhere. As many laws have passed now that you cannot smoke in certain public places you still find many people smoking without paying any mind.

The arguments against smoking are well known. Smoking has been shown to be dangerous to health. Heart disease, bronchitis and lung cancer have all been linked. A further issue is that smoking costs governments millions of pounds because of the large number of people who need treatment in hospitals for smoking related problems.

There is also concern today about passive smoking. Recent research has shown that non-smokers can suffer health problems if they spend long periods of time among people who do smoke. In general, I think the world would be a better place without cigarettes. I read that with the peer pressure and stress many find it hard to say no to this awful habit.