Smoking Ban Pros and Cons

Smoking has been around for longer than we can imagine. It used to be a status symbol and a power stick. A cigarette in the hand was a way of intimidating. Movies have always shown the protagonists smoking away while they deal with something important. Even in real life, ask a smoker, they would say that smoking helps them clear the clutter in their mind and calms them. However, a non-smoker would easily huff it off by saying "It's all in the head". Well, which side is right, and which side is wrong? The ones who count smoking as a social evil will whole heartedly embrace the smoking ban, to save the big picture. However, smokers, will simply put it off, and find another way to smoke. They know the health hassles it causes, they still choose to smoke, do you think a ban will stop them?

Then, why is it that every few years there is a smoking ban in order and "No Smoking Zones" get created? Discotheques stop allowing their patrons to smoke in the premises, and cafes create larger areas for their smoking clientèle. Did the ban work? Has it had a positive impact on society? Or was the impact disguisedly negative? Well, let's take a peek into the issue by checking out these pros and cons of smoking ban and smoking ban facts.

Smoking Ban Facts

• The first recorded smoking ban was in 1590. It was employed by Pope Urban VII. He stated that if any individual was found and caught smoking near the premises of the church, he or she would be excommunicated.
• In the beginning of the 20th century, people realized the health hassles of smoking. As such, businesses created separate sections for smokers. This was to avoid others from getting exposed to the annoyance and dangers of second hand smoking. More about facts about second hand smoking.

Smoking bans have seen tremendous lifestyle changes at a global level.

Smoking Ban Pros
The first point to consider while pondering over smoking ban pros and cons, is the set of pros. The ban on smoking in public places has several pros. Some of them (the more prominent ones) are listed here.

• Smoking in public places expose non-smokers to second hand smoke. This causes health hassles to them as well. Read more on passive smoking effects.
• Smoking in public places pose the possibility of influencing the minds of impressionable children as well.
• Several people took the plunge to quit smoking after the smoking ban. This is because, they found it "difficult to find a place to smoke, any ways".
• The smoking ban made smoking a morally as well as legally "wrong" concept. This played a major role in dissuading young adults from taking up smoking.
• Going to a pub, discotheque or a bar is much easier sans the cigarette smoke to fog the vision.
• The number of heart patients have dropped in light of the ban. This is also a derivative of the lack of second hand smoke in the air.

These are the most prominent and important pros of the smoking ban.

Read more on:

• Passive Smoking Facts
• How Does Smoking Hurt your Lungs and Body

Smoking Ban Cons
After we have seen the pros, it is now time to take a look at the other half of the smoking ban pros and cons, the cons!

• The government makes a lot of tax money from the sale of cigarettes. This amount has dropped since the ban.
• There are more people evading the law, and smoking on the sly. As such, one could say that the purpose of the ban is lost.
• A lot of restaurants, cafes and pubs are losing clientèle due to the smoking ban in their premises. Due to this fact, several people have lost their jobs.
• Many youngsters took up smoking, simply because it was banned. Smoking got more attention due to the ban, making people more curious about it.
• Smoking withdrawal symptoms have caused quite a bit of domestic and workplace hassles. This is due to the irateness that lack of smoking would cause a smoker. When a smoker cannot smoke, for any reason, he or she loses concentration and gets irritated easily. Read more on quit smoking side effects.
• Post the employment of the ban, more and more teenagers are getting addicted to smoking. This is because they are doing it on the sly, without adequate guidance.
• The smoking ban is taken as an encroachment of personal rights by many people. In light of this fact, it is facing a lot of opposition.

As you can see, despite it being a positive phenomenon, smoking ban seems to have more cons as compared to pros.

While we can all have and foster our own opinions on the controversial smoking ban pros and cons, one has to keep the bigger picture in mind. While in the short run, the smoking ban seems to have more cons, in the long run, it will only benefit the society and humanity. So, if you are a smoker, and against the ban as a matter of principle, rethink. The smoking ban is here, and here to stay. The best that you can do, is to get used to it! This is where I sign off! All the best!