Smoking and Cancer - Article Example

Smoking and Cancer Article Summary Scientifically speaking, there are a multitude of dangers from secondhand smoke. The chemical components of a cigarette are insidious and have made cigarette smoking the number one cause of lung cancer worldwide. Accordingly, of “all cancers in the United States, 30% could be prevented if cigarette smoking were eliminated” (Newcomb & Carbone 305). Scientific evidence points to the fact that secondhand cigarette smoke can be just as bad for ones health as smoking on one’s own (Brennan 125). Due to the increase risks for lung cancer associated with people who are surrounded by smoke on a day-to-day basis, the American Department of Human Services has classified secondhand smoke as a toxic hazard in a work environment. This has provided ammunition to antismoking advocates who argue that smoking in any form is negative and must be challenged in public spaces. Presently all cigarettes sold in the United States contain a Surgeon Generals warning which emphatically states that cigarettes cause cancer. Cigarettes are also much more expensive than they have ever been and there is a $.39 federal tax on each pack sold and state on average tack on an additional $.80 for each pack sold. As late as in 2003, indoor smoking was banned in only five American states. The indoor smoking ban referred to restaurants, bars, casinos, and other places where people worked and where smoking was customary. The five states which led the nation in the toughest antismoking legislation at the time included California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine and the state of New York. These first states started a trend which has progressively been copied throughout the Union and by 2008 there were at least 19 states which have banned smoking in a workplace environment. This is in addition to 25 states which effectively ban smoking in restaurants and bars. These bans were motivated by the desire to protect people who work in smoking environments such as waitresses and bartenders from the dangers of secondhand smoke. Accordingly, what is the relationship between cancer and secondhand smoke? (Newcomb & Carbone 305-321). Scientific Evidence What is the scientific relationship between smoking and cancer? While the relationship between cancer and cigarette smoke has been established for decades, people still continue to smoke. Cigarette smoking can cause the cancer of the lungs, the cancer of the mouth, the cancer of the throat, cancer of the breast, stomach cancer, kidney cancer, and liver cancer. In addition to the cancer-causing properties of cigarette smoke, smoking can also cause emphysema, gum disease, sleep problems, tooth decay, and a variety of other ailments. It is a wonder that people continue to smoke despite all of the information which is available about the negative ramifications of smoking. Importantly, many states around the world as well as here in the United States have effectively banned indoor cigarette smoking due to the dangers of secondhand smoke. These bans have been initially quite controversial, especially in places such as Europe where smoking is far more customary than it is in the United States, but have been the latest in a line of measures created by policymakers to attempt to limit peoples desire to smoke (BBC 2009). Essentially, smoking is an addiction and cigarettes contain nicotine which is reportedly one of the most addictive substances known to humankind (Brennan et al 126). What sort of steps have been taken by state and federal authorities to address the problems associated with smoking in America? While the American Department of Human Services now classifies cigarette smoke as a carcinogen, smoking advocates argue that the anti-smoking movement based upon emotion rather than science. Accordingly, in all 19 states which ban smoking in the workplace, not one provides ventilated room for smokers only. There are a variety of reasons for this including the costs associated with building such a room. Additionally, smokers also argue that laws which prohibit smoking within 50m of a building entrance are excessive and that the relationship between secondhand smoke and tobacco has not been proven. What are the effects of tobacco smoke on the respiratory system? (Newcomb & Carbone 305-321) Cigarette tobacco reportedly contains approximately 4,000 chemicals and many of these chemicals cause cancer. Smoking is incredibly harmful to ones health with serious ramifications of sustained smoking on the respiratory systems of people worldwide. Importantly, there is no such thing as safe tobacco but smoking tobacco is deathly harmful to the respiratory system. Smoking inhibits the lungs from their natural cleaning and repair process and traps the chemicals which cause cancer in the lungs. Smoking destroys the cilia which line the airwaves of our lungs and effectively limits the lungs’ capabilities to repair itself. Breathing is inhabited by smoking and this damage is permanent. Additionally, a variety of forms of cancer are related to smoking and studies have shown that secondhand smoke is an important contributor to cancer among non-smokers. Nicotine is addictive drug which impacts both the brain and central nervous system and is the reason for which many people continue to smoke. Furthermore, nicotine is a powerful drug which effectively hooks millions of smokers and is responsible for countless deaths here America and around the world (Brennan 125-131). Cigarette smoking is an incredibly harmful habit which causes cancer and has led to the deaths of millions of people around the world. While the relationship between cigarette smoking and cancer has been established, the United States, as most countries around the world, is presently undertaking serious attempts at limiting the ramifications of secondhand smoke. This is why smoking is banned in public places such as bars, restaurants, and a variety of other venues which were once a haven for havens for smokers. Today, smoking is banned in work environments in 19 states and the decision to ban smoking is based less upon emotion and more upon scientific fact. From this perspective then the ramifications of secondhand smoke outweigh the rights of smokers who enjoy their deadly pastime in the company of others. The United States is making incredible headway with respect to banning smoking in public spaces and as time progresses this should increase. Smoking is harmful and a cancer-causing habit which continues to kill millions of Americans each and every year. Works Cited Barnoya, J. et al. “Cardiovascular Effects of Secondhand Smoke: Nearly as Large as Smoking.” Circulation, 2005, 111: 2684-2698. BBC.com. “Frances smoking ban takes effect.” 1 February 2007. Last Accessed November 6, 2009 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6319649.stm Brennan, Paul. “Secondhand smoke exposure in adulthood and risk of lung cancer among never smokers.” International Journal of Cancer. 2003, 109(1): 125- 131. Newcomb, P.A. & Carbone P.P. “The health consequences of smoking.” Medical Clinics of North America. 1992, 76(2): 305-31. Read More