Most people don't think about the effects of second hand smoke as being much more than a nuance, but every year nearly 60,000 people die from the effects of second hand smoke, also know as environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) (Zarski, 4). Effects of ETS range from asthma and allergy irritants to lung cancer and low birth weight. People are now beginning to take a stand against smoking in public areas. Public schools, day care centers, and hospitals have already been declared as non-smoking areas; now the target is restaurants.

ETS is made up of 80% sidestream smoke, which is the smoke that comes from the smoldering end of a cigarette and 20% exhaled mainstream smoke, which is the smoke exhaled by the smoker (Hampshire, 1997, 2). The combination of these two types of smo

With all of the health problems that second hand smoke causes, it is obvious why so many people are beginning to stand up for their right to breathe clean air. Most food service businesses are afraid that if there is a law enacted to ban smoking in restaurants, that there will be a loss in customers and revenue. New York City enacted an anti-smoking law on April 10, 1995; studies have shown that the law has had no effect on local sales, job growth, or income (Martin, 1999, 1). One study showed that restaurant revenue in smoke free towns rose four percent and revenues in the communities that did not restrict smoking over the same period rose only two percent (Martin, 1999, 10). In San Luis Obispo, California a smoke-free restaurant and bar ordinance was enacted in 1991. In 1993, studies of the economy found no evidence of a negative economic impact. In addition, there was no sales increase in neighboring cities. California enforced a statewide smoke free law, and sales increased six percent in the first six months (Duluth, 2000, 6).

Children exposed to ETS have a higher rate of developing ill health symptoms because a child's heart rate and breathing rate is higher than an adult's; they inhale more air relative to their body weight (Prevention Institute, 1996, 10). Some of the common symptoms that are found among children are respiratory illnesses including colds, pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, emphysema, and allergies, sudden infant death syndrome (1,900 to 27,000 per year), behavioral problems, and middle ear infections (the leading cause of surgery in children 700,000 to 1.6 million a year in the U.S.) In addition, children exposed to ETS are more likely to take up smoking. (Zarski, 1997, 4) (Prevention Institute, 1996, 11) (YMN, 2001) (Audio Health, 1996, 4).

chemicals included in ETS are acetone (nail polish remover), tar, nicotine, formaldehyde (used for embalming), carbon monoxide (identical to car exhaust), ammonia (created in animal waste and used as a common household cleane

Some common words found in the essay are:
Prevention Institute, Agency EPA, Audio Health, Effects ETS, Department Health, Air Act, RESTARUANTS Imagine, York City, Obispo California, Los Angeles, prevention institute, prevention institute 1996, institute 1996, exposed ets, effects ets, duluth 2000, rhoades 2001, children exposed, zarski 1997, hand smoke, smoke free, children exposed ets, people beginning stand, ban smoking restaurants, effects hand smoke,
Approximate Word count = 1356
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)