Inhalation Of Second Hand Smoke example essay topic

Smoking needs to be stopped Millions of people around the world enjoy the disgusting habit of smoking. This habit contributes to an epidemic of disease, which brings pain, suffering and death to millions every year (Active Smoking). We need to end this suffering by banning smoking in all its forms. Smokers, non-smokers, and the environment are all adversely affected by smoking.

Smoking is one of the worst things you can do to your body. Butane, arsenic, acetone, carbon monoxide, methanol, cadmium, and hydrogen cyanide, no one in their right mind would willingly ingest any of these things into their bodies, but these are just a few of the ingredients found in today's cigarettes. Every day people all around the world light up and inhale rat poison, lighter fluid, paint stripper, and tar (Cigarette Ingredients). Studies show that smokers are much more likely to die prematurely than non-smokers. Smoking is also linked to the onset of many health problems, including heart disease, lung cancer, stroke, circulatory diseases, and even bronchitis (Active Smoking). Smoking also causes sexual and reproductive harm, such as impotence in men and a marked decrease in conception rate in women (Reproductive Health).

Smoking is harmful to the environment. The average smoker only inhales fifteen percent of the smoke from a cigarette; the rest goes straight into the air (Effects of SHS). That's over four thousand chemicals polluting our air supply from each cigarette. And after the cigarette is gone the filter is usually cast to the ground and stepped on or tossed casually out a window, leaving a non-biodegradable mess that keeps adding up.

The main problem with smoking is that it affects those who do not smoke just as much as those that do. No matter where you are, home, a public park, restaurant, etc., smokers are given the freedom to pollute the air around you, and your only choices are to put up with it or leave. Inhalation of second hand smoke has been shown to cause many of the same health problems as smoking does, including cancer, emphysema, asthma, as well as irritation to the throat, nose, and eyes (Effects of SHS). While health issues are the main concern over second hand smoke, it is not the only one. Second hand, or side stream, smoke also causes damage to furniture and clothing, discolors paint, and leaves a horrible smell on everything. We need to put an end to smoking.

It is harmful to smokers and non-smokers alike and to the environment. With this seemingly small change we can decrease disease and pollution all over the world and increase the general quality of life for ourselves and generations to come.

Bibliography

Cigarette Ingredients. 2 Feb. 2005.
s smoking Risks Reproductive Health' Practice Nurse 27.4 2 Feb. 2004: pp.
4. EBSCOhost. Academic Search Premier. San Jacinto College South Lib., Houston. 2 Mar. 2005 The effects of second hand smoke.
2 Feb. 2005.
The health effects of active smoking. 2 Feb. 2005.