Issues on smoking have arisen in the media once again, so much so that now the government is debating whether or not this drug should be banned in public places. Already it is banned at the MCG and in some other public venues including hospitals, restaurants and cafes. With the effects of passive smoking becoming more evident and the annoyance of the smell and smoke of cigarettes, it is therefore becoming obvious that an advancement in banning smoking in more public places must be declared.

"The latest scientific research shows that non-smokers living with smokers have an increased risk of heart disease of about 25 per cent." (Tobacco risks a fact, Herald Sun, 1999.) With disturbing evidence like this suggesting that illness caused by cigarettes is on the rise, there has to be regulations put into place to maintain the effects of passive smoking. "The fact is, that smoke that drifts from the end of a burning cigarette can kill." (Tobacco risks a fact, Herald Sun, 1999.) Therefore without a banning non-smokers are threatened by these toxic ingredients that have the potential to harm them severely.

"...Nor is it still reasonable for a smoker to sue a tobacco company for damage done by cigarettes - the warnings have been around long enough for people to make intelligent, informed decisions." (Smokescreen hides real issue, Herald Sun, 1999.) It is just the same with driving, there are regulations and speed limits for driving, and yet hundreds of people die each year on Australian roads. However there is nothing banning people from driving cars. Smoking is a completely different issue because it effects not only the people who use cigarettes but also those who don't because of the inhalation of its smoke. It is a self inflicted epidemic that "... costs the community an estimated $12.7 billion a year in hospital bed days and lost productivity." (Anti-smoking fight falters, The Age, 1998.) A ban on smoking would surely reduce illnesses and save the community millions of dollars per year.

Today's society has a freedom of democratic choice. "...despite the fact that the health risks to smokers are well documented, tobacco is a legal substance and the individual should be free to choose" (Quit ordering us around!, Herald Sun, 1998.) Although smokers should be able to smoke whenever they like, the effects of passive smoking cannot be ignored.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Herald Sun, , herald sun, herald sun 1999, sun 1999, effects passive smoking, real issue, age 1998, passive smoking, public venues, effects passive, tobacco risks herald, falters age 1998, 25 cent, risks herald sun, toxic ingredients, risks herald,
Approximate Word count = 842
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)