Smoking not only harms the smoker, but also those who are nearby. Therefore, smoking should be banned in public places. To what extent do you agree or disagree? ~Sanchit

Smoking not only harms the smoker, but also those who are nearby. Therefore, smoking should be banned in public places. To what extent do you agree or disagree? ~Sanchit

Cigarette is a carcinogenic substance which has devastating impact on the health of its consumers, but has an even greater effect on the bodies of non-smokers who are subjected to passive smoking. This has prompted concerned health experts to propose prohibiting smoking in public areas, whereas there are a few who disagree with it.  

The rationale behind forbidding lighting cigarettes in the public domain is protecting others from getting sick due to the smoke emitted by smokers. The side stream or each puff is laden with carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide along with other hazardous compounds which affect passive smokers more than the ones smoking. This can inflict bystanders with several lethal diseases like heart ailments, asthma and in extreme cases various kinds of cancers.   

The damage to the health of those around smokers does not stop here. It has been proven that inhalation of smoke emitted by smokers, has serious consequences on the fetus of pregnant ladies, as the chemicals in it can hamper the development of unborn babies causing physical deformities or brain damage, making them disabled for life.  

However, avid smokers oppose the ban by arguing that such steps are an assault on their freedom and are against the rights promised to them by the law. Similarly, others go to the extent of terming such a move as biased, they feel when society is surrounded by fossil fuel propelled vehicles and factories that discharge far more hazardous pollutants into the environment profusely, why should the minority smokers be discriminated against.  

In hindsight, I opine that smoking in public is extremely inappropriate and unattractive, as such misdemeanour could cause discomfort to someone and lead to severe medical issues to people in the immediate vicinity. Thus, such acts should be banned in public.