Working Conditions - Assignment Example

New York Smoke Regulation in Working and Public Places New York Smoke Regulation in Working and Public Places Smoking has been prevalent in the whole world as proven by history. Many commercial tobacco and cigarette manufacturers have become giants in the business and many people patronize the smoking products. It can be traced back during the time of Native American Indians that they use tobacco for religious rituals until modernization took place in the next centuries and smoking cigarettes become part of the status quo as it gained popularity especially in social bonds and gatherings (Gilman and Zhou, 2004).

The popularity of tobacco and cigarettes are not only enhanced by social bonds but also through popular music like rock and roll. The usual theme is having cigarettes adds masculinity to men and attract more women. It can be linked to social bonds. Some examples of songs depicting cigarettes are My Cigarette and I, Smoke Rings, Smokin’ in the Boys’ Room, Pass that Peace Pipe and many more. The songs appealed to the mass that caused the increasing popularity of cigarettes way before the billboard advertisements like Joe Camel and Marlboro Man (Cooper and Haney, 1999).

It is not only used as a status symbol because of its medical uses. In the form of powder, aqueous solution, ointment and extracts, tobacco was then used to treat tetanus, lack jaw, oedema, spastic dysuria, neurosis, constipation, smoke enemas and arsenic poisoning (Haustein and Groneberg, 2010). Despite of the popularity of cigarette and tobacco, it remains a public health enemy number one because it is the leading cause of death in the United States. Consuming cigarettes causes several diseases like cardiovascular diseases, cancer of the lungs, respiratory ailments such as bronchitis and emphysema and other forms of cancer like laryngeal, oral and stomach cancers (Schneider, 2011).

In line with the negative health effects of cigarette smoking, several efforts had already been done in the United States. In 1971 the tobacco ads had been banned by the Congress along the airways while in 1984 the Smoking Education Act had been passed together with four strongly worded cigarette warnings in advertisements and cigarette packages. In 1986 the Comprehensive Smokeless Tobacco Health Education Act had been passed (Pampel, 2009). Since then California is the state that adapted some specific measures to manage the risk of cigarette smoking then followed by New York in 2003.

The smoking law in New York was signed by Coy. George E. Pataki which includes many strict measures but with exemptions like licensed cigar bars in New York City, America-Indian-owned casinos, outdoor areas of restaurants with no roofing, fraternal clubs, personal cars and private homes. The violators of this law will be penalized with $ 1000 fine. The reactions of Restaurant association in New York said that this law may affect the profitability of their businesses. Other owners said that smokers and drinkers are usually large tippers, so the law would greatly affect their businesses.

Some other restaurant owners said that people will get used to it and their businesses will not be greatly affected. Besides, they also want a good health and clean working place for their employees (Frumkin, 2003). This is a matter of normative ethics. The moral values may be considered in the front end or at the action itself known as the deontological theory while the teleological theory is concerned with the consequences. Deontology basically considers the obligation of doing the right thing while the teleology like utilitarianism which considers the utility or satisfaction it brings to the majority of the people (Souryal, 2011).

The antismoking law is really great in improving the public health although the law may cuts a thin line across the effects or consequences it may bring the bars and restaurants. Firmly speaking it is an advantage to both the general public and the people behind the restaurants and bars. Profits will not be greatly affected since their businesses are primarily offering food which is a basic need of people. ReferencesCooper, B. and Haney, W. (1999). Rock music in American popular culture III: More rock n roll resources.

New York: Haworth Press.Frumkin, P. (2003, April 7). New York state outlaws smoking in all enclosed workplaces. Nations Restaurant News. Retrieved from http://www.nrn.comGilman, S. and Zhou, X. (2004). Smoke: A global history of smoking. Hong Kong: Reaktion Books.Haustein, K. and Groneberg, D. (2010). Tobacco Or health?: Physiological and social damages caused by tobacco smoking. New York: Springer.Pampel, F. (2009). Tobacco industry and smoking. New York: Infobase Publishing.Schneider, M. (2011).

Introduction to public health. Canada: Jones and Bartlett Publishing.Souryal, S. (2011). Ethics in criminal justice: In search of the truth. USA: Elsevier Inc.