Why smoking should be banned - Essay Example

Why Smoking Should Be Banned Introduction Many people have argued that cigarettes sales in markets should be banned for its contributions to health and economic problems. However, those opposing the idea of cigarette sales in markets explain that cigarette taxes contribute more money to the economy and also buying and smoking of cigarettes depends on the smokers. However, the health and economic disadvantages of cigarettes sales and smoking surpasses the economic benefits. This means that cigarettes sales in markets should be banned.

Cigarette sales in markets should be banned because of its contributions to health and economic problems. According to the American Lung Association (2014), cigarette smoking in the U.S. causes 393,000 deaths annually; also the cost associated with cigarette smoking is high for the government. According to the study by American Lung Association (2014), in 2004, cigarettes smoking costs were $193 billion. The healthcare costs associated with the use of cigarettes in 2004 was $96 billion, while lose of productivity due to cigarette smoking was approximately $97 billion.

Additionally, the study shows that cigarette smoking causes lung cancer. Smoking of cigarettes emits 7000 chemicals, and research shows that 69 of the chemicals cause lung cancer, which is responsible for close to 90% deaths from lung cancer. In addition, cigarette smoking is responsible for 20% to 30% of low birth weights in the U.S and is the cause of 10% of infant deaths and 14% pregnancy complications such as premature deliveries. The research shows that neonatal healthcare costs associated with cigarette smoking in the U.S. is approximately $366 million annually.

The statistics above are attributed to sales of cigarettes in U.S. markets. This means that ban of cigarettes sales would reduce healthcare costs and deaths caused by diseases such as lung cancer.However, those opposing the prohibition of cigarettes sales argue that government revenue would reduce if the ban is imposed. They explain that federal states in the U.S. are already imposing high taxes on cigarettes. The U.S. average tax per a pack of cigarettes is $1.01, which is higher than any other products’ tax.

The taxes are high for government and banning of cigarettes sales will be a disadvantage for government because they will not be able to get revenue (Heartland Institute n.d.). According to Hu and Mao (2001), cigarette smoking in China is high and is considered a health problem. However, the study also shows that China benefits from taxes levied on cigarettes sales and importation. For example, cigarette taxes levied by Chinese government in 1997 were 90 billion Yuan. In addition, prohibition of cigarettes sales would create unemployment.

In China, employment opportunities are created by industries manufacturing cigarettes and is estimated to create approximately 500,000 job opportunities. The author shows that the number of people employed in the sales of cigarettes is approximately 3.5 million. Prohibition of sales creates unemployment and reduces revenue for government obtained from taxes.However, cigarette smoking is a problem to the society despite the benefits. The benefits do not cover the health and economic problems. Proctor (2013), explains that 100 million people died in the 20th century due to cigarettes smoking.

The author points out that the number of deaths is increasing. Despite the calls to ban or reduce cigarettes smoking, the destruction is already done. The number of deaths due to cigarettes smoking annually in the UK is approximately 10,000 people. However, the U.K. government obtains £12.3 billion revenue from taxes. But the benefits are still low as compared to the problems caused by cigarettes smoking in the U.K. The U.K. government spends close to £88 million on a campaign to inform people about the health hazards of cigarette smoking and £60 million on healthcare costs.

The deaths associated with cigarette smoking are a blow to the economy because man power is lost. This means that the call to ban cigarette sales in the market is at the right time (Smoking statistics 2014).ReferencesAmerican Lung Association, 2014, Smoking, viewed on 8 May 2014 Hu, T, W and Mao, Z 2002, ‘Effects of cigarette tax on cigarette consumption and the Chinese economy,’ Tobacco Control, vol. 11, pp. 105–108.Proctor, N, R 2012, ‘Why ban the sale of cigarettes? The case for abolition,’ Proctor RN.

Tob Control, vol. 22, pp. 27–30.Smoking statistics, 2014, Ash action on smoking facts at a glance, viewed on 8 May 2014, < http://ash.org.uk/information/facts-and-stats/fact-sheets> The heartland institute, (n.d), Heartland Ideas in defence of smokers, viewed on 8 May 2014 < http://heartland.org/ideas/smokers-rights>