Should cigarette smoking be banned?

張貼日期：Jun 21, 2013 3:39:8 AM

Lily Kuo

Nowadays, more and more people are under pressure. They look for different ways to relieve stress, such as listening to music, going shopping, or doing some exercises. Some people may depend on smoking and drinking to relax themselves. Many people argue that smoking can be a way for them to relax. However, in my opinion, smoking too much is harmful because it may get others’ disapproval, cost a huge expense, and cause poor health.

First, smokers may be detested by others. Most people do not smoke. Some smokers smoke in the public places, and it may affect other people. For example, if they smoke on the road, people who walk behind them may inhale the second-hand smoke, which is not good for health. If someone stays in the environment of smoking for a ling time, he or she may get emphysema or other respiratory diseases. According to some medical studies, people who inhale second-hand smoke may get cancers more easily than smokers. Thus, many people hate smokers.

Second, buying cigarettes may cost a lot of money. In general, a package of cigarette costs smokers seventy-five NT dollars. Some smokers may smoke a package of cigarette one day, and they need to buy it every day. Little by little, it will be a great burden to them. If they spend seventy-five NT dollars on cigarettes a day on average, it will be a huge cost for them a month. In addition, the government has added health surcharge to each cigarette for the health problem it may cause. Thus, now cigarettes are more expensive than before.

Third, smoking may cause some diseases. The cigarette contains nicotine, carbon monoxide, and tar. Nicotine is the main substance causing cravings because it has a stimulating effect on the central nervous system. It can increase heart rate and peripheral vasoconstriction, so long-term smokers may get hypertension and cardiovascular disease easily. Carbon monoxide combines easily with hemoglobin which is responsible for transporting oxygen in the blood, and it will replace the delivery of oxygen. The oxygen concentration in the blood will be reduced, and it may affect the function of body. Tar is the main carcinogen in cigarettes. It is black goo, and it will be attached to the respiratory tract and organizational mucosa. The airway of the long-term smokers may be blocked and it may cause emphysema and various cancers. These three substances are damaging to health.

Smoking is detrimental to health of both smokers and nonsmokers. Smoking may not only harm smokers, but also have a bad effect on people around them. Smokers may have a risk of getting respiratory diseases, and most people hate smokers. Accordingly, I think cigarette smoking should be banned, and then we can live in a cleaner and more healthful environment.