Argument about smoking in malls - Assignment Example

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over 47 million people in the United States aged above 18 years smoke, and as a matter of fact, over half of this population will suffer disabilities or die (Berton, 2006). Smoking should be banned in malls, as the consequences suffered from smoking and secondary smoking are far too grave. Effects of secondary smoking to non-smokers in Malls Secondary smoking is a condition in which non-smokers inhale smoke from smokers’ act of smoking in public places.

Research shows that over 4000 compounds are contained in second hand smoke from smokers of which 200 are poisonous. This is a dangerous trend as the smokers not only put there health in danger but also jeopardize the health of the individuals in the mall. Should the banning of smoking be implemented in malls, many lives would have been rescued from the impending danger that these secondary smoke pose to the general public that use the mall, including children of all ages that seek various services from the many amenities that are hosted in a mall (Patrick, 2008).

A demerit will however be to the businesses in the malls that sell cigarettes. The banning will probably mean that malls will be a no smoking zone, quickly diminishing the market that would be available for the cigarettes that many business premises carry out in these malls. This will also translate to a lot of losses that the government gets from hefty revenues that governments get from the sale of cigarettes. Probable steps in reducing the population that smokes A large fraction of the population worldwide is known to smoke.

It is reported that a third of the entire male population worldwide smokes. A lesser statistic is however documented for female smokers though it is steadily rising. By banning smoking or introducing stringent measures about smoking in malls, a large population is bound to eventually lose the habit. This would be a big step to most countries as the number of diseases that are related to smoking cases is so alarming. It is also established that smoking kills one out of 10 that die globally. There is no doubt at all that reducing the numbers via such an action would prevent numerous deaths and fatal ailments that smokers usually undergo but won’t just stop due to the addiction suffered (Joelle, 2002).

The reduction of smokers will however cause a big blow to the manufacturing industries, the government for its revenue and advertising houses that all make huge profits from activities related to smoking or cigarettes in general. There is also a danger of withdrawal symptoms that will be exhibited by most ex-smokers, a condition that always cause irritability and the reduction of concentration, factors that may really affects ones daily activities. Reduced Influence on underage Children and Teenagers Even though it is recorded that a majority of teenagers get into smoking as a result of peer pressure from fellow peers, a large percentage can be influenced into the habit just by public exposure in places like malls and public parks.

It becomes worse when they see an influential figure publicly smoking in a mall; something that will make them conclude that the habit is cool. Apart from just the influence, teenagers and children are also prone to health hazards that might be impacted by secondary smoking. Should smoking be banned or limited in malls, many kids are bound to escape forced introduction into