Introduction
Countries across the globe continue to promote the need to ban smoking in enclosed and public places. The paper states that cigarette smoking in public and enclosed places should be banned because it does not only harm people’s health but also causes diseases and affects both the active and the passive smokers.
The first part of the paper will address effects of tobacco smoking on personal health and the economy. This will be followed by a discussion on the ban of tobacco smoking in Jamaican public and enclosed places. Finally, the impact of the ban will be highlighted.
Effects of smoking
According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (n.d), smoking increases the chances of coronary heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer. The CDC maintains that thickening of blood vessels increases heart beating and blood pressure. On the other hand, stroke occurs due to blockage or collapse of veins supplying the brain. Furthermore, blood clots prevent blood to be supplied to the heart leading to heart attack. Moreover, tobacco smoking results in poor health, consequently reducing productivity of an individual.
In the same line, cost of healthcare services is increased since a smoker has to seek for medical attention on several occasions. To add on this, smoking affects bone development, teeth, fertility, and increases the risk for cataracts. In brief, tobacco smoking is not good to overall health of a person.
Ban of smoking in Jamaica
In a research by Brown (2013), Jamaica instituted a law to regulate smoking in enclosed public places. The policy is in line with international responsibilities, i.e., to reduce tobacco usage and exposure. Some of these smoke-free zones recognized by the law are workplaces, recreational as well as educational centres, bus terminus, and several other public places (Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, 2014).
In a move to reinforce the regulation, Jamaica opted for vigorous public education starting with schools. Such campaigns would serve the purpose of creating awareness on limits of the law and the catastrophic effects of tobacco smoking on people’s health and environment (Linton, 2014).
Impact of the ban
Following the ban on tobacco smoking, Steele (2013) notes a 30 % decline in sales that accompanied the confusion on where a person is allowed to smoke according to the law. At the same time, there was a drop in consumption due to an increase in price of tobacco in response to inflation and devaluation.
As a retort to declining sales, manufacturers resort to innovation to rejuvenate and re-engage with their customers. One of the innovations attracts the consumers with the new cigarette’s menthol flavour and smell. The operation of the innovative product is such that a smoker taps the tip of the stick to activate a capsule releasing extra menthol.
Conclusion
The essay demonstrates that tobacco smoke is harmful to overall health of active smoker and passive smokers. Specifically, it has negative effect on blood circulation, respiratory organs, and several other critical organs. Tobacco smoke is also counterproductive because unhealthy individuals can less work that evidently affects the output for an economy.
Cognizant of its international obligation and the aforementioned health effects of tobacco smoke, Jamaica enacted a law in 2013 to regulate smoking in public places. In response to the decline sales, manufacturers have introduced innovative menthol intended to increase the smoker’s experience.
References
Brown, I. (2013). Smoking ban takes effect today. Web.
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids: Tobacco Control Laws. (2014). Web.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Smoking & Tobacco Use. (2014). Web.
Linton, L. (2014). House Approves Amendments to Smoking Regulations. Web.
Steele, M. (2013). Cigarette Market Will Soon Shrug Off Smoking Ban. Web.