For last 20 years, there have been lots of documents on banning smoking in public places. As the global trend of quitting smoking, non smokers have insisted their right to breath in clean air and be protected from smoking-related diseases. In our society, smokers are not allowed to light up in some special place such as hotel or airplane. And many companies offer special rewards to employees who successfully kick the habits, and they designate no-smoking zones in their building. In my opinion, even though many smokers don’t assent to these restrictions and insist that smoking is one’s liking, smoking shouldn’t be allowed in any public place.

  The first and greatest reason to restrict smoking in public places is to protect health of people. The danger of second hand smoking has been proven so many times by scientific studies. According to a report in the New York Times, there are more than 6,000 cancer patients cause by second hand smoking per year. Also Dong-a Ilbo reported that about 3,000 indirect smokers have been passing away per year because of the lung cancer in America. Second, even a little bit of smoke can pollute a large area. While smoking, smoke and particles pollute the air and surroundings such as wallpapers and curtains. Also smoke from cigarette reduces work efficiency and deteriorates a conversation atmosphere. However, smokers insist that smoking calms their nervous, gives them confidence, and helps them cope with stress, boredom, unhappiness and other problems. This counters to the medical facts. Cigarette contains 4,000 chemicals, over 19 carcinogens constituents. Three main harmful substances in cigarette are carbon monoxide, tar, and nicotine. Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas which is caused in car exhaust fumes and smoke from fire. It causes heart disease, hardening of the arteries and shortness of breath. Tar is a black substance that come from burning tobacco, and it causes lung and throat cancers. It also makes stain on teeth and finger. Nicotine is a drug. Each cigarette delivers about 6-8mg of nicotine. Nicotine makes the blood vessels become narrow, which affects blood pressure. In fact, smoking cannot help smoker’s relaxation.

   In conclusion, smoking in public places should be banned for protecting the health of people, for preventing pollution of surroundings. I’m not against the smoking itself. But what I want to say is that public place is required to be shared with everyone, and everyone has the obligation to not to disturb anyone. Smoking is a matter of choice, but society has a responsibility to create an environment that makes it a difficult choice if it is harmful to others. Smoking is definitely harmful, so it should not be allowed in public places.