Public Smoking
...fect on the February 10, 2004. Since then, the profit for local restaurants, bars, and pubs have dropped thirty to thirty- five percent. Due to ban, jobs have been lost and some businesses have had to shut down completely (Bedsole). If the smoking ban is doing this to the city of Corpus Christi, then just imagine what would happen in the rest of the United States. The United States has a problem with employment also. These smokers are providing jobs for those working in the factories and in the corporate offices. So before the government bans the smoking in public places completely, they need to step back and look at all repercussions that will hurt the economy even more. As the economy in the United States continues to decrease, states are becoming more and more “strapped” for cash. The states are looking for any way to solve their debt problems and they are turning to tobacco. According to the Cybercast News Service, twenty states raised the taxes on tobacco products last year. New York alone raised the tax from eight cents a pack to $1.50, an increase of 1700 (McKay). So with this high profit, should smoking really be banned? Smoking can cause a plethora of diseases. Not only do these health problems contribute to the smoker, but people around the smoker as well. Smoking is a leading cause of lung cancer and emphysema. “Smoking is the major cause, but with ever increasing air pollution and other environmental factors that negatively affect pulmonary patients, those numbers are on the rise” (Emphysemafoundation.org). Respiratory infections are acclimated by the inhalation of carbon monoxide put out by the cigarette. Some infections that come from this are asthma, coughing, wheezing, and middle ear infections (Public Place…). Another symptom contracted from secondhand smoke is allergies and pneumonia. Enough smoke protruded can obliterate one’s entire immune system. Pregnant women are easily susceptible of putting their inborn child at risk to the secondhand smoke. If a pregnant mother smokes, she can increase the chances of her child being premature or even stillborn. However, if the mother does not smoke, but is around others that do, the possibilities still remain. Therefore, smoking is, and will always be a serious threat to the health of the nation. The problems can be solved as long as all both sides agree to compromise a little. In Austin, Texas a new ordinance was passed stating that all bars and restaurants must have a city permit to allow smoking. The ordinance mainly eliminates indoor smoking in the workplace except for those with a permit. Smoking is also eliminated within fifteen feet from the entrance of a smoke free establishment. The enforcement of the ordinan...