Shenyang Aerospace University

SHOULD A SMOKING ROOM BE SET ON

THE WORKING PLACE?

CLASS: 2051520112
STUDENT NUMBER: 205152011211
STUDENT NAME: 语嫣
 Should a smoking room be set on the
working place?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2020, 22.3% of the global population
used tobacco, 36.7% of all men and 7.8% of the world’s women. With this, the introduction of
smoking rooms, especially to public places such as shopping malls, restaurants, airports, hotels,
and others, was a much needed solution with the aim of reducing the second-hand smoke
exposure to the non-smoking population. But as society becomes more liberal, the issue is
raised of whether or not smoking rooms should be installed in the working place: Would this
be appropriate? Would this be beneficial for everyone involved? How would this affect the
working environment?
Smoking rooms are rooms that are specifically provided and furnished for smoking, generally
in buildings where smoking is otherwise prohibited. These rooms, when effectively set up, are
generally designed to capture smoke before it spreads to other rooms, and to filter most of the
harmful gases and purify the tobacco smoke into clean air. In the 19th century, these rooms were
often furnished with velvet curtains and the gentlemen would often change their tailcoats into
a velvet jacket. The velvet was intended to absorb the smoke, to avoid contaminating other
rooms and clothes. Today however, with the advancement of technology, ventilation systems
were invented that can easily be installed into any enclosed space to help it “rid itself” of
moisture, smoke, cooking odours, and indoor pollutants.
On account of these continuous breakthroughs in today’s technologies, the argument in favour
of setting up smoking rooms in the working place is enforced, that the smoking employees
would have a designated place to smoke, rather than smoking in public areas or in other non-
smoking rooms, thus limiting second-hand smoke exposure to non-smokers and making the
working environment more inclusive and aware of its employees’ needs, which would
consequently reduce complaints from non-smoking employees and/or customers about second-
hand smoking. It could also have the extended benefit of attracting customers (most likely
smoking customers) who otherwise would not be interested to visit.
Nevertheless, even the newest technologies today cannot ensure that these ventilation systems
are 100% effective and that they can completely purify the air from the toxic chemicals emitted
from tobacco smoking. Second-hand smoke particles have been found to be smaller than dust,
drifting easily as people move through the different rooms and open doors, and they can linger
in the air for at least 2 to 3 hours after the last cigarette has been smoked. This imposes great
health risks to those exposed to the second-hand smoke, since, according to WHO, more than
4000 toxic chemicals have been identified in tobacco smoke and there is no safe level of
exposure to such chemicals. WHO also states that “ventilation and smoking areas, whether
separately ventilated from non-smoking areas or not, do not reduce exposure to a safe level of
risk and are not recommended” and that the only way to protect non-smokers from second-
hand smoke is not to reduce it, but to completely eradicate it by creating 100% smoke-free
environments.
Besides, installing smoking rooms in the workplace would, in a certain way, encourage
smokers to keep smoking, which is a harmful habit not only for the smokers but also, as
mentioned before, to everyone around them. So, by adopting smoke-free laws, companies
would be protecting the health of non-smokers, encouraging smokers to quit, and creating a
healthier and safer environment to work in.
In conclusion, smokers occupy a significant percentage of the world’s population, and today’s
technologies have made it possible for them to indulge in a cigarette while significantly
reducing second-hand smoke exposure to non-smokers. But most importantly, the fact that
there is still a long way until modern technology can be proven to provide a solution that is
100% viable for both parts cannot be ignored. In the meanwhile, efforts should continue to be
made to protect everyone from the dangers of the tobacco smoke, and the most effective way
to accomplish that would be by getting smokers to quit.