All categories - 24 February 2007

2007-02-24 08:54:00 · 6 answers · asked by Feathery 6 in Polls & Surveys

2007-02-24 08:53:57 · 20 answers · asked by ewbcodeman 1 in Diabetes

Smoking should be banned in public places

This essay investigates the question of whether or not smoking should be banned in public places. The essay will cover the advantages and disadvantages of banning smoking in public places and how people react to this controversial issue. It should be pointed out that this question has been badly debated all over the country and there are many different views.

Let us first of all consider the point of view that over 40,000 careful studies have proven that smoking causes disease and death (http://www.ash.org.uk/). Every medical and health agency agrees to the fact that smoking is a problem and an estimated 1,000 people in Britain die every year from smoking-related diseases such as lung cancer and heart diseases. (http://www.guardian.co.ukl)

Smoking affects not only smokers themselves, but also non-smokers. Environmental tobacco smoke is known to be a major source of indoor air pollution and the inhalation of it is known as passive smoking.

Majority of the ASH (http://www.ash.org.uk) scientific studies have concluded that passive smoking increase the risk of contracting fatal illnesses such as lung cancer and heart problems, and is associated with a variety of health problems in children including cot death and chronic middle ear infections.

Based on the findings of the SCOTH (Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health) report and California EPA review (http://www.advisorybodies.doh.gov.uk);ASH estimates that about 600 lung cancer deaths and up to 12,000 cases of heart diseases in non-smokers can be attributed to passive smoking each year in the U.K. Non-smokers exposed to passive smoke have around a 25% increased chance of contracting heart disease even though on average they inhale the equivalent of 1% of the smoke that a smoker does. Also, the cancer risk for non-smokers exposed to tobacco smoke is approximately in proportion to exposure when compared to the risks faced by smokers.

Likewise, in a 1992 report, the Royal College of Physicians estimated that 17,000 children under the age of five are admitted to hospital every year in the U.K. as a result of illnesses resulting from passive smoking (http://www.guardian.co.uk). Also, the impact of smoking on health inequalities is carried from generation to generation. Children whose parents smoke are three times, as likely to smoke themselves and are also more heavily exposed to the harmful effects of smoke pollution. In consequence, children exposed to smoking environments are more likely to go on to become smokers themselves and suffer the ill effect of it.

Smoking does not only bring health problems, but also environmental problems. The 1999 office for National Statistics survey (http://www.ash.org.uk/) into attitude to smoking found that 62% of non-smokers would mind if people smoked near them because it causes unpleasant smell, and 38% said that it makes clothes stink. Furthermore, the careless disposal of smokers’ materials is one of the main causes of fire and smoking related litter at home and outside. This evidence supports the point of view that banning smoking would be a good idea as it would reduce all these problems.

In addition, according to a 1995 survey (http://www.ash.org.uk/), smoking related litter was found in over 88% of all U.K. surveyed streets and further research showed that only 53% of smokers had ever used a bin to dispose of butts, whilst 75% admitted to dropping them on the ground. Also, the GLA (Greater London Authority) itself recognizes that cigarette butts accounted for 40% of all the street litter in London. This further supports the opinion of those who believe smoking in public places should be banned.

Having considered the health and environmental problems posed by smoking, successive expert panels and government committees have emphasized the need for protection of non-smokers from second hand smoke, including the restriction of smoking in public places.
The 2004 U.K. Government’s Public Health White Paper (http://www.ash.org.uk/) has already introduced a smoking ban in Scotland in March 2006 which will come into effect this year in the rest of the U.K. According to health campaigners, the Scottish smoking ban has improved trade and lured new customers to pubs three months after the stub-out. Furthermore, the ASH (http://www.ash.org.uk/) Scotland survey found that 24% of customers said they are more likely to visit pubs now they are smoke-free and just 10% would go less often. Moreover, levels of air pollution in Scotland's public places have dropped by 86% since the smoking ban was introduced in March, according to new research. Professor Jon Ayres (http://www.forestonline.org.uk), who is carrying out the study, points out the fact that the smoking ban was always going to benefit workers more. This suggests that the introduction of a smoking ban in public places will be an advantage for workers especially those who are working in pubs and restaurants, yet another argument to support a ban in public places.
Soon after the evaluation of the gradual improvements in Scotland, Patricia Hewitt, the Health Secretary, announced a total ban on smoking in enclosed public places which will come into force in England on July 1, 2007, Northern Ireland on April 30, 2007, and Wales on April 2, 2007 (http://news.bbc.co.uk). The smoking ban will cover all enclosed public places such as pubs, clubs, restaurants and cafes. However, exemptions include private homes, residential care homes, theatre stages etc. In Ireland like Scotland, the ban has so far proved successful which suggests that in England it may have a similar effect

Most people, especially non-smokers agree to a smoking ban in public places. An editorial in the Lancet argued that 80% of people in the U.K. are non-smokers, saying they have the right to freedom from exposure to proven carcinogens. It also highlighted a study by the Royal College of physicians, which said that a smoking ban would help 300,000 people quit smoking (http://www.guardian.co.uk). The results of this study along with the editorial, add even more weight to the argument for banning smoking in public places.

Dr. Astrid James, deputy editor of the Lancet believed that banning smoking in public places would prevent cancer deaths as well as heart and chronic lung cancer deaths in the U.K. Not only would this have obvious positive effects on individuals affected by cancer, there would be long term benefits for the NHS i.e. less cancer would mean less money would need to be spent on treatments.

John Britton, a professor at Nottingham University (http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk), said that smoking ban in public places will be an effective means of reducing the numbers of people who take up smoking especially young children. In addition, a report from the BMA says that children, pregnant women, people with lung and heart disorders are vulnerable to passive smoking, and that smoking restrictions would protect the population. While there are those who agree with this, there are also those who argue that if people are not allowed to smoke in public, they will be forced into their homes where passive smoking will still affect their families.

Although many workplaces already have a non-smoking policy, many people want a total ban on smoking in workplaces. Based on ASH and Cancer Research UK survey, people said that the new law should apply without exemption. The poll showed 85% of people would visit bars and pubs as often or even more often if they were smoke-free by law. Ruth Basworth of Boots Health Club told the BBC, “Everyone has the right to be protected from harm and enjoy smoke-free air”. She added that, “For any smoker trying to quit, smoke-free environments will increase their chances of success as social pressures to smoke will be reduced (http://www.vitabeat.com). So it seems that there is a lot of evidence to support the ban on smoking in public places. However, not everyone agrees that the ban would be effective.

In a report by ASH, 20% smokers were revealed as planning to give up the habit, but it also pointed out that more than 80% of smokers who are willing to give up smoking are not influenced by Britain’s proposed public smoking ban (http://www.vitabeat.com). Does this suggest that a ban would be a waste of time?

According to a report by the office for National Statistics, the majority of people are still opposed to a ban on smoking in all public places. The report found that 65% of people favored restrictions in pubs but only 33% wanted a total ban; 48% wanted pubs to be mainly non-smoking with smoking areas. It is argued that smokers who freely choose to smoke and are harming themselves, have the right to, in the same way that they are free to choose to take their own lives. Simon Clark, director of FOREST, said that by banning smoking in every public places, the government is ignoring public opinion. (http://www.forestonline.org)

A more serious concern is that bans on smoking in public places may lead to more smoking at home, as claimed by former British Secretary of State for Health John Reid. However, the Royal College of Physicians opposed to Reid saying that after investigating Scotland, it has found out that smoke-free households have increased from 22% to 37% within last year (http://en.wikipedia.org). Here we have the point of view that a ban could actually increase smoking at home and may not be beneficial at all.

Likewise, an article on smoking on the internet argues that a smoking ban will affect the business of those hospitality companies especially those that allow smoking (http://www.savethegoldfish.co.uk). Furthermore, a report from the Restaurant Association reveals that £346 million could be lost in income and 45,000 jobs if restaurants were forced to ban smokers (http://www.ash.org.uk). The result of this could be a negative impact on the catering industry as it would lessen the number of customers using restaurants which in turn would result in decrease in jobs.

Having considered both the arguments for and against a smoking ban in public places, opinion seems to be divided. On one hand, by banning smoking in public places, smokers’ civil liberties are taken away, and on the other hand, non-smokers are being protected from the health effects of passive smoking.

At the end of the day, whether smokers like it or not, the smoking ban will be enacted in July of this year, and time will tell it was a good decision by the government or not.

2007-02-24 08:53:56 · 5 answers · asked by Pinay 1 in Teaching

i have troubles with chem hw

2007-02-24 08:53:54 · 3 answers · asked by Marree 2 in Chemistry

When I write a sentence and an abbreviated word (with a period) the next letter of the next word following is always capitalized...and it really shouldn't be...what can I do to correct thisi [This doesn't happen when I write on this particular Question and Answer site...and I don't know why?] However; for instance this is an example: 'It was 2 A.M. before I got to bed last night.' If I am writing just a normal e-mail or anything else, the ' b' on before would have been capitalized...how can I change this?

2007-02-24 08:53:52 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous in Words & Wordplay

Why is the effect on reaction rate of introducing a catalyst much greater than the effect of increasing concentration?


Thanks!

2007-02-24 08:53:51 · 4 answers · asked by MZ 1 in Chemistry

mine is florida disney cruise, germany, i've been to every state in the U.S. except for north carolina, and new york. we get to go to new york sometime, and a weaaing this june in north carolina!! on the beach!!! gtg, kelsey

2007-02-24 08:53:50 · 10 answers · asked by lllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 2 in Other - United States

Through no fault of either the employee or employer, some wages could not be paid during certain months over the past years. Now the employer wants to repay all of those wages. Will those wages be taxed as this years income, and will that income bump up the employee into a really high bracket? What is the mechanism to properly report this to the IRS? ( I saw previous answers to this question, but not very complete, any new ideas?)

2007-02-24 08:53:49 · 5 answers · asked by pregunton-tonton 1 in United States

i live in the united states please let me know.i made 700 hundred a month for two months from unemployment that was my only income for 2006.and iam also married my wife did not work.

2007-02-24 08:53:43 · 2 answers · asked by billyboy_1968 1 in United States

I need money(im a kid)and I don't know wut to do other than my chores...(i need money faster).I know it sounds spoiled but i just need money faster... =) Thanks...

2007-02-24 08:53:43 · 2 answers · asked by celine m 1 in Careers & Employment

2007-02-24 08:53:42 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Polls & Surveys

My ex and i split about 3 months ago, and i still have feelings for her because i see her at school all the time and hang around with her quite a bit. What makes things worse is that i think shes falling for my best mate and us 3 hang out a fair bit...so u can see my problem. Im stuck...i dont no how to move on and forget her, or just settle for friends!

2007-02-24 08:53:40 · 8 answers · asked by shishuzy 1 in Other - Family & Relationships

2007-02-24 08:53:39 · 3 answers · asked by Gc 1 in Chemistry

i want to apply for a credit card but am not sure witch one would be the best to go with.can anyone help?

2007-02-24 08:53:37 · 8 answers · asked by Heather H 2 in Credit

2007-02-24 08:53:36 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Music

My grandma will be with me and she is a licensed driver but my dad is skeptical about whether or not my 4 yr old neighbor can ride with me even though i have a licensed driver in the car.

2007-02-24 08:53:35 · 5 answers · asked by sexy_balla05 1 in Safety

2007-02-24 08:53:35 · 4 answers · asked by zach v 1 in Other - Hardware

some frends saying we can chat by scrapping . but is just like chat.r it is like mail we giving .make me understand .

also how we can have chat in google talk.only who r in frends list we can chat know?

2007-02-24 08:53:33 · 4 answers · asked by vijay k 2 in Internet

2007-02-24 08:53:32 · 4 answers · asked by ????????????????????? 3 in Motorcycles

2007-02-24 08:53:29 · 2 answers · asked by christopher l 1 in Renting & Real Estate

shenanigans or monkey business?

2007-02-24 08:53:26 · 30 answers · asked by Mr. Fox 5 in Polls & Surveys

possible homework solutions....


a. (1/2)^23x

b. (1/2)^24x

c. (1/2)^25x

d. (1/2)^26x

e. (1/2)^27x

f. (1/2)^28x

g. (1/2)^30x

h. (1/2)^32x

i. none of these

2007-02-24 08:53:22 · 3 answers · asked by chris 2 in Mathematics

What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

2007-02-24 08:53:21 · 19 answers · asked by Sadie &hearts 5 in Polls & Surveys

are psychics real? is there anybody here on Yahoo! Answers who can tell the future? or can know everything about me without ever meeting me?

i'm simply curious

2007-02-24 08:53:20 · 5 answers · asked by answer! this 3 in Mythology & Folklore

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2007-02-24 08:53:19 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Jokes & Riddles

2007-02-24 08:53:14 · 4 answers · asked by angel 4 in Respiratory Diseases

2007-02-24 08:53:11 · 14 answers · asked by ali m 1 in Fashion & Accessories

I'm looking for mostly in the downtown and metro area.

2007-02-24 08:53:11 · 3 answers · asked by queenmab1013 1 in St. Louis

and he said maybe...does he like another girl or waiting for a girl to respond or he just didn't want to say no rudely

2007-02-24 08:53:08 · 2 answers · asked by gold luck! 2 in Singles & Dating

My 4 year old daughter wont pick up her toys in her room,she alyways wants help and nothing works for me.

2007-02-24 08:53:07 · 12 answers · asked by mmfesler@sbcglobal.net 2 in Toddler & Preschooler