Passive Smoking

As the government cries foul over the ill effects of smoking on the human body, several un-intentional and often-unaware victims keep suffering the wraths of this fatal addiction. Wikipedia defines Passive smoking as the inhalation of smoke, called secondhand smoke (SHS) or environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), from tobacco products. Passive smoking has been a topic of heated debate on regulation of tobacco-based products.

The “innocent bystanders” are at the receiving end of an addiction that they are not even a part of. Currently, the health risks of second hand smokers have triggered governments across the world to ban smoking at workplaces and public places, including restaurants, bars and nightclubs.

Researches over years have proved beyond doubt that the health risks any addict is prone to are the same as in case of a passive smoker. Diseases such as cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, and lung ailments such as bronchitis and asthma attacks are common ailments a SHS may suffer from. Ear, nose, and throat: risk of ear infections along with severe cardio vascular Circulatory system problems are common occurrences.

Children are the worst sufferers, who unknowingly stay at close proximity of addictive parents thereby exposing themselves to dangerous diseases. Irresponsible guardians in turn pay no attention to the damage they are causing their children. Passive smoking can trigger sleep disturbance in pregnant women, thereby affecting the health of both the expecting mother and the child to be born.

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and Side stream smoke specially contains more than 4,000 chemicals, including 69 known carcinogens, which are known to affect the lungs and other vital human organs. Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, tobacco-specific N-nitrosamines, and 4-Aminobiphenyl, are highly carcinogenic.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization says that second hand smoke is a primary cause of cancer among several passive smokers. A special report suggests that 30 minutes of breathing secondhand smoke results in blood platelets getting as activated as in regular smokers. These activated platelets damage the lining of arteries, which leads to coronary disorders.

Every year as many as 17,000 children are admitted with respiratory problems in the UK.The little ones are exposed to meningococcal infections because of inhaling toxic smoke. The air filtering systems inside our houses fails to filter off air clogged with cigarette smoke very well leaving behind a disturbing smell. Just imagine a house or a bar without the smell of tobacco. It sure is going to be a better experience.

The state of California banned any act of public smoking in all enclosed workplaces in and within 20 feet of such places, including restaurants and bars, from January 1, 1995 onwards. This restrictive measure was soon followed by New York City, which saw a change in its anti-smoking law to include all restaurants and bars, including those in private clubs since 2005.

This happens to be one of the toughest regulatory measures in the United States. Even the Federal Bureau of Prisons adopted an anti-smoking policy for all its facilities. Infact an eye opening survey suggested that 54% of Americans favored a complete ban of tobacco inside of restaurants, 34% favored a ban in hotel rooms, and 29% favored a ban inside of bars. Smoking away our precious life is ones personal decision. However, the addicted smoker has no right to subject his family and friends to this death formula.