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Arguments for Banning Smoking in Public Spaces

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Arguments for Banning Smoking in Public Spaces

Cigarette smoking is a detrimental habit with adverse health consequences. The health

hazard of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke are well documented. Definitive evidence

even suggests that other than causing respiratory complications, like coronary heart disease and

lung cancer, second hand smoking is a prerequisite of premature death. Such dangers of passive

smoking have heightened legal restrictions on smoking in public areas. Despite the evidence on

the health impacts of passive smoking, concerns about the economic and social consequences of

banning public-place smoking abound among advocates of public smoking. They maintain that

such a restriction is a recipe for business closures and loss of jobs, let alone harming people's

civil liberties. Even so, preventing smoking in public spaces can reduce health risks associated

with tobacco and reduce smoking prevalence in the long run.

Prohibiting smoking in public places has indirect health benefits. Exposure to tobacco

through first- or second-hand smoking is associated with multiple health risks. Catalano and

Gilleskie (2021) posit that smoking in open spaces increases the risk of such diseases as coronary

heart disease, lung cancer, and asthma episodes. Even low levels of exposure increase the risk of

ischemic heart disease and chronic bronchitis in non-smokers (Karimi et al., 2016). Imposing a

public ban reduces cigarette smoking while creating a tobacco-free outdoor public spaces for all.

In effect, a low prevalence of public smoking reduces the likelihood of non-smokers and

vulnerable groups, including children and people with asthma, from contracting the

aforementioned conditions. Therefore, the health risks associated with second-hand smoking

exposure supports the biological plausibility of public smoking bans.

Banning smoking in open spaces reduces smoking behaviors. Typically, the prevalence

of tobacco smoking is due to the idea that smokers remain victims of their addiction. Cigarette
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smoking is an addictive behavior thanks to nicotine present in tobacco, which accounts for the

addictive nature of the behaviors (Catalano & Gilleskie, 2021). Public smoking can initiate a

smoking habit especially among teenagers, since it presents the opportunity for visual, oral, and

olfactory gratification (Karimi et al., 2016). Individuals exposed to second hand tobacco

smoking are likely to acquire and maintain the smoking behavior, increasing smoking

prevalence. Imposing public bans can change attitudes towards smoking while reducing the

number of people starting to smoke in the long run. It will also reduce the chance of relapse

among ex-smokers. As such, illegalizing smoking in open spaces is an effective behavioral

intervention for reducing smoking prevalence and, ultimately, public health burden resulting

from smoking cessation programs.

Banning smoking in public spaces continues to generate public debate in people of all

walks of life. Promoting a smoke-free environment in open spaces has gained favor with

governments worldwide for multiple reasons. One is the health benefits of completely banning

smoking in public spaces as the move reduces the risk of contracting diseases, such as coronary

heart disease and lung cancer. Prohibitive bans on smoking in public places also discourages

smoking behavior underlying high smoking prevalence. In light of the foregoing evidence, the

best solution to the problems of second-hand smoking exposure is to prohibit smoking in public

spaces
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References

Catalano, M. A., & Gilleskie, D. B. (2021). Impacts of local public smoking bans on smoking

behaviors and tobacco smoke exposure. Health Economics, 30(8), 1719–1744.

https://doi.org/10.1002/hec.4280

Friedman, A. S. (2020). Smoking to cope: Addictive behavior as a response to mental distress.

Journal of Health Economics, 72, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhealeco.2020.102323

Karimi, K. J., Ayah, R., & Olewe, T. (2016). Adherence to the tobacco control act, 2007:

Presence of a workplace policy on tobacco use in bars and restaurants in Nairobi, Kenya:

Table 1. BMJ Open, 6(9), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2016-012526